Cape Town – The Hawks reportedly arrested at least seven alleged zama zama (illegal miners) kingpins and seized at least 14 luxury vehicles during a raid conducted in the early hour of Tuesday in Carletonville and Khutsong on the West Rand
The operation was conducted by the Hawks in Gauteng together with the Department of Home Affairs and other stakeholders, police said in a statement.
A Range Rover Evoque, Ford Raptor, Amarok bakkie, Audi A3 and two Golf GTIs were some of the high-powered vehicles the Hawks seized, TimesLIVE reported
The report said the arrested suspects were set to appear at the Carletonville magistrate’s court on charges of fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Precious Metals Act while two more were being questioned by police.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale, the investigation dated back to 2018 following six concerning transactions to the amount of R500 000.
“This morning the suspects who had been identified for those transactions were arrested. We’re not leaving out the possibility that these suspects could be linked to other suspects in the country and outside. This is a transnational crime,” the report quoted Mogale as saying.
@KayaNews Some of the 15 high powered vehicles belonging to the 7 arrested Zama Zama kingpins in Khutsong, Carltonville today. Amarok, Ford Ranger, Golf 7s, A3, Polos, Land Rover… pic.twitter.com/SYbqnB3poW
— Pitso Molemane (@PitsoMolemane1) October 4, 2022
Over the past few months, police have conducted numerous operations to combat illegal mining and arrested scores of illegal miners and seized illegal mining equipment at various locations around Gauteng.
These operations followed the horrific incident where eight young women were gang raped while shooting a music video in Krugersdorp’s West Village in July.
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Picture: Twitter/@SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
