National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, together with senior police top brass, is expected to convene a high-level meeting in Bapong, near Brits, on Monday to assess the extent of illegal mining activities in the area. The meeting will include officials from the Departments of Mineral Resources and Energy, as well as Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, as part of a coordinated government response.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal mining, which has severely disrupted the livelihoods of local communities and caused extensive environmental damage.
“We are here to find lasting solutions to put a stop to illegal mining activities that are taking place in the Bapong area,” Mathe said.
“We cannot afford a situation where communities are living in fear, houses are caving in and roads are damaged because of illegal mining.”
The visit follows last week’s oversight operation led by Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, during which law enforcement agencies intensified clampdowns on suspected illegal mining operations.
Over the weekend, police arrested 11 suspected illegal miners in Bapong and confiscated mining equipment, including a truck loaded with chrome.
“We discovered a truck that was filled with chrome that was mined illegally. We also seized two vehicles and a number of digging tools used by these illegal miners. Two of those arrested are foreign nationals,” Mathe added.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court.
