Namakwa illicit mining operation nets successes

Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Northern Cape

NORTHERN CAPE - In an effort to address the pursuing illicit mining activities in the Namakwa district, the Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola executed a three in one joint multi-disciplinary operation with the main focus on illicit mining at Nuttabooi and Bontekoei and the town of Kleinsee.

The operations were led by the Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lt Gen Tebello Mosikili, the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola, senior officers from the National and Provincial Management and the Namakwa District Commander, Brig Schalk Andrews.

The multi-disciplinary operation was conducted in the Namakwa area and dealt illegal diamond miners a hard blow following a crime intelligence driven operation that was executed over three days which commenced on 13 January 2023 and ended 16 January 2023. During the operation a total of 82 persons were arrested for various offences.

The operation focused on illegal mining activities in the Port Nolloth and Kleinsee areas during which numerous digging equipment and implements including generator s, jigsaws and power tools as well as bags of diamond bearing gravel were seized.

Various SAPS stations and units within the Namakwa district, Provincial components and specialized units participated in the execution of the operation with the assistance of Immigration officials who were on site to process the undocumented persons.

On 15 January 2023, several suspected drug houses were raided in Okiep, Nababeep, Steinkopf and Concordia during which liquor was confiscated and a fine issued to the owner.

The local traffic department assisted the police during a static roadblock that was conducted on 16 January 2023 on the N7 between Springbok and Steinkopf during which 268 vehicles were stopped and searched and several traffic fines were issued for traffic violations. Two male suspects aged 31 and 23 respectively were arrested at the roadblock after being found in possession of dagga with an estimated street value of R30 000-00. Th two will soon appear in the Springbok Magistrates court.

Seventy four (74) undocumented persons were arrested for Contravention of the Immigration Act, five (5) for Trespassing, 1 for Possession of an uncut diamond and 2 for dealing in dagga. All detainees will be appearing in the Port Nolloth and Springbok court's respectively. The undocumented persons will be escorted to the Lindela Holding facility in Krugersdorp for repatriation to their respective county of origin.

Police choppers from the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Free State assisted the ground forces with aerial support by directing members on the ground to tje execution points in the mining area.

Coastal patrols were conducted with the 7,8 metre Ballistic Rubber duck along the Port Nolloth/ Alexander Bay shoreline. Aerial patrols were also piloted along the RSA/Namibian borderline along the Orange River.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Otola commended the multi-disciplinary task team who executed the disruptive actions and indicated that these disruptive actions sent a clear message to illegal miners that their disregard for the law will not be tolerated and continuous actions in the province will prevail.

Ends

Enquiries:
Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien
082 555 1800

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