NELSPRUIT -The challenge of illegal mining in the country has been in the public eye recently, receiving strong condemnation from all angles. However members of the SAPS in the province of Mpumalanga have been working tirelessly to address the challenge. The arrest of two suspects aged 21 and 26 is a typical example of such efforts by the police to stabilize the situation. The two were arrested yesterday, 29 August 2022 at a certain farm in Greylingstad.

According to the report, members of the Police at Greylingstad conducted a sting operation after gathering some information about activities of illegal mining in the area. They then cornered one suspect and the second one later. The two were charged with illegal mining as well as contravention of the Immigration Act after police discovered that the two are foreign nationals without valid documentation to be in the country. It is said that one of the suspects is from Mozambique whilst the other is from Zimbabwe. On the scene Police also discovered some equipments suspected to have been used by the suspects for illegal mining. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspects as the investigation continues.

The two male suspects are expected to appear before the Balfour Magistrate's Court tomorrow, Wednesday 31 August 2022 facing the said charges.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela reassured the public that police are doing all in their powers to mitigate the challenge of illegal mining in the province hence the arrest. "We are making some good progress in dealing with illegal mining and the arrest of the two is a sign of so many achievements that we have made thus far. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that we do not leave any stone unturned" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service