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The Hawks have arrested 20 illegal miners and seized a mini-arsenal as well as explosives following a multi-disciplinary operation in the North West on Monday.
Hawks national head, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya lauded the arrests and seizures, warning that this “is only just the beginning.”
National Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said the raid was carried out at a Harmony Gold mine shaft in Stilfontein.
“The operation follows weeks of surveillance into the alleged illegal mining activities of the suspects resulting in the arrest of 20 suspects and the seizure of 15 AK47s, six hunting rifles, two shotguns, and one R5 rifle.”
She said police also seized boxes of ammunition, explosives, and an undisclosed amount of money.
“The operation is ongoing and we cannot rule out the possibility of more arrests and more seizures,” Mogale said.
She said all the suspects are expected to make their first appearance before the Stilfontein Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
Mogale said they face preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit robbery to wit gold, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition and contravention of the Immigration Act.
