Over 4000 people have been nabbed for getting involved in dodgy mining activities. The Justice, Crime Preventions and Security Cluster ministers spilled the beans to the media today about the crime scene in the country. In Mpumalanga, 67 suspects were caught red-handed with mining gear worth a whopping R180 million and coal valued at R12 million. Defence Minister Thandi Modise, who was yapping at the press briefing earlier, spilled the tea that most of the nabbed suspects are foreigners. She said, “Amongst those who are arrested are 63 South Africans. 2 739 foreign nationals from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, DRC, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda. These arrests indicate the multi international nature of illegal mining,” explains Modise. To tackle this dodgy business, President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent 3000 soldiers to work hand in hand with the police to put a stop to illegal mining. The South African National Defence Force will be on duty for six months, teaming up with the police to crack down on illegal mining across all provinces, from 28 October 2023 until 28 April 2024. The bill for this operation is expected to hit R 492 143 296.
