A 65-year-old home owner and accomplice are expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 9 September, for illegal mining, tampering with and/or damaging of essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen goods.
The man was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning, 5 September, at Nkandla informal settlement near Khuseleka 1 mine by Tlhabane Visible Policing, Royal Bafokeng Tactical Team and Rustenburg Public Safety.
Reports suggest that Acting on a tip-off, the team arrested two suspects, aged 65 and 31, for illegal mining, tampering with and / or damaging of essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen goods. It is alleged that the home owner (65) who resides with his family, used and or / allowed a group of men to utilise one of the bedrooms as an entrance to the nearby Khuseleka mine shaft.
Upon noticing the police, an unconfirmed number of men entered and disappeared into the man-made hole in the bedroom, while the other two including the owner of the house, were arrested.With the assistance of the mine security team, some of the mine property and other equipment were found inside the house. A search for other suspects is continuing.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrests and thanked the team for their concerted efforts in addressing illegal mining activities.
