
Waterval Boven – Over the weekend, five illegal miners were arrested in Slaaihoek, near Waterval Boven in Mpumalanga. They are scheduled to appear in the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, December 23, 2024.
The illegal miners, often referred to as Zama Zamas, range in age from 28 to 42 and were apprehended on Saturday, December 21, 2024, by a multi-disciplinary team including the South African National Defence Force.
As per Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the suspects are facing several charges related to illegal mining activities as well as violations of the South African Immigration Act.
Brigadier Mdhluli added that numerous items and mining tools were confiscated during the operation.
“The officers also confiscated equipment including generators, a gas cylinder, a gas regulator, various gas pipes, and other tools,” Brigadier Mdhluli explained.
