South African police have raided a North West provincial mine shaft and seized a number of various goods – including 15 AK 47 rifles – from the 20 suspects it arrested for alleged illegal mining during an operation carried out in the town of Stilfontein, APA learnt on Tuesday.
“The operation is ongoing and we cannot rule out the possibility of more arrests and more seizures,” Police spokesperson Katlego Mogale said.
Mogale added: “The operation follows weeks of surveillance into the alleged illegal mining activities of the suspects at the mine shaft.”
The North West province crack unit of the police branch known as the Hawks raided the mine shaft in Stilfontein early Monday to arrest the 20 people and seize from them the high calibre 15 AK 47 rifles, he said.
In addition to the AK 47s, the raid also yielded six hunting rifles, two shotguns, one R5 rifle, boxes of ammunition, explosives and an undisclosed amount of money, the spokesperson added.
The Hawks said they arrested the suspects for being involved in illegal mining activities in Stilfontein in the North West province, he added.
Mogale said the suspects are expected to appear in the Stilfontein magistrate’s court on Wednesday to answer charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition, and contravention of the immigration law.
NM/as/APA