Staff Reporter
Police and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers arrested 717 people and seized firearms, explosives and mining equipment in coordinated raids against illegal mining, organised crime and gang violence between 1 and 22 July.
The operations, part of the joint Operation PROSPER initiative, also recovered 24 illegal firearms, 1,928 rounds of ammunition, commercial explosives, a landmine, gold-bearing material and drugs including dagga, mandrax, heroin and CAT, according to a joint statement.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the SANDF continue to achieve commendable breakthroughs in the fight against illegal mining, organised crime, and gang violence through Operation PROSPER,” the statement said.
Suspects of various nationalities were detained for illegal mining offences as well as murder, unlawful possession of explosives and possession of suspected stolen property.
Among the arrests were one for murder, 213 for drug-related offences, 265 for immigration violations, and others for firearms, dangerous weapons, robbery, assault and vehicle theft.
Authorities also confiscated 59 generators, 28 jackhammers, 26 steel crushers and other mining equipment across five provinces.
In Gauteng, more than 150 suspects were arrested at Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria on 7 July, while over 50 undocumented foreign nationals were detained in Springs. In the Free State, 12 suspects were arrested in Odendaalsrus, Allanridge, Theunissen and Welkom, with dagga and suspected gold-bearing material recovered.
Anti-gang raids in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape yielded further firearms and ammunition, while drug operations in Bellville and Hanover Park led to the seizure of cocaine, crystal meth, mandrax, ecstasy and heroin.
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