MACHADODORP - A total 0f 40 illegal miners, aged from 17 to 43, have been arrested during a police operation conducted at one of the old shafts of the Komati gold mine outside the town. This joint operation by several law-enforcement agencies began on July 23 and concluded on July 24. Most of these miners are illegal immigrants.

Teams comprising of  DPCI Mpumalanga, Middelburg Cluster, the Detectives Branch, K9 unit and Visible Policing pursued the suspects until they were apprehended. They have been charged with illegal mining, trespassing and the transgression of the Immigration Act. All the suspects appeared in the Waterval-Boven Magistrate’s Court today (July 25). The outcome of their appearance is still unknown and the investigation continues.

UPDATE - Case postponed to August 8:

• All the suspects appeared in the Waterval-Boven Magistrate’s Court on July 25
• Case of illegal mining withdrawn
• 13 Suspects released
• 27 Suspects charged - Illegal Immigration Act. They were remanded in custody.

Submitted by: Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi 
Subeditor: Lynette Brink