Cape Town – A 65-year-old man from Nkandla informal settlement in North West, along with an accomplice, faces charges of illegal mining, tampering with essential infrastructure, and possession of suspected stolen goods.
Police arrested the man after discovering he had allegedly allowed illegal miners to access a nearby mine through a hole in the floor of his home.
The arrest was made by Tlhabane Visible Policing, Royal Bafokeng Tactical Team, and Rustenburg Public Safety following a tip-off.
#sapsNW A home owner were arrested on 05/09 at Nkandla informal settlement near Khuseleka 1 mine, for #IllegalMining, tampering with and damaging of essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen goods. It is alleged that the home owner allowed a group of men to… pic.twitter.com/dYRCzmExoO
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 7, 2024
“Reports suggest that Acting on a tip-off, the team arrested two suspects, aged 65 and 31, for illegal mining, tampering with and / or damaging of essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen goods.
“It is alleged that the home owner (65) who resides with his family, used and or / allowed a group of men to utilise one of the bedrooms as an entrance to the nearby Khuseleka mine shaft.
“Upon noticing the police, an unconfirmed number of men entered and disappeared into the man-made hole in the bedroom, while the other two including the owner of the house, were arrested,” provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said.
With the assistance of the mine security team, some of the mine property and other equipment were found inside the house
The search for additional suspects continues.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the team for its efforts in combating illegal mining activities.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
