Supplied
Rustenburg police, supported by a private security company, arrested 24 people during a joint, intelligence-driven operation, at a mine ventilation shaft near the town.
North West Police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Monday morning at Samancor mine along the R104 road in the early hours of Monday, 20 June 2022.
He said according to information received, SSG Security Officers in Rustenburg spotted a silver Nissan bakkie turning onto the R104 road in the vicinity of the ventilation shaft near a townhouse complex.
"Subsequently, a group of men was seen running in the bushes while firing shots in the direction of the security personnel who called for backup from the police. As a result, a number of suspects were arrested in the bushes and in a hole next to the ventilation shaft, while copper cables worth R750 000 were seized," he said.
All the suspects, aged between 18 and 45, are expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrates' Court on Wednesday on charges of tampering with essential infrastructure.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the vigilance of the private security company’s personnel as well as the SAPS members for their collaboration that led to the success.
