Newly deployed members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have arrested several suspects in Rietvallei on the West Rand after they were found in possession of goods believed to be used for illegal mining activities.
The arrests were made during a coordinated operation targeting areas suspected to be harbouring illegal miners, commonly known as zama-zamas. Authorities also seized an undisclosed amount of cash that was found with some of the suspects.
During the operation, soldiers made a significant discovery when they uncovered makeshift processing plants hidden in the backyards of several houses they searched. The facilities are believed to have been used to process materials extracted through illegal mining.
Officials say the equipment and other items recovered at the properties are commonly associated with illegal mining operations.
One of the residents who spoke to Newsnote admitted that she had been harbouring some of the suspects’ belongings.
“We are happy to see the soldiers because we were getting bribed by the illegal miners to keep their belongings. Police were also coming here to collect money from them,” she said.
The resident added that the illegal miners had been paying her R1000 a month to store their goods in her yard.
Another resident said she was not bothered by the presence of zama-zamas in the community.
“They do their work and also help us with ours. They don’t bother us,” she said.
However, another resident described the situation as traumatic, saying the presence of illegal miners had created fear and uncertainty in the area.
The arrests form part of the ongoing deployment of SANDF members to support police in crime-fighting operations in hotspot areas across Gauteng.
As the SANDF motorcade left the area, residents young and old waved and ululated in appreciation of the soldiers’ presence.
Illegal mining remains a major concern in parts of the West Rand, including Randfontein and surrounding communities, where abandoned mine shafts are often used by criminal syndicates.
The soldiers are expected to continue with operations as authorities intensify efforts to tackle crime in other affected areas.
