Police in North West have reported a surge in arrests of suspected illegal miners following a recent tip-off. Over the weekend, a major operation in Rustenburg led to the apprehension of 20 individuals who tried to evade capture by hiding underground.
This crackdown follows an earlier arrest involving a 65-year-old homeowner accused of allowing illegal miners to use a bedroom in his house as an entry point to dig a tunnel into Sibanye’s Khuseleka mine shaft.
Provincial police spokesperson Amanda Funani confirmed that 10 additional suspects were arrested last night. The arrests followed reports from concerned community members about suspicious activities at one of the suspect’s residences.
"Initially, we suspected the homeowner might be involved in drug dealing," Funani explained. "Our investigation revealed that people were entering the house and not returning. In the early hours of Thursday morning, we discovered the tunnel inside the house."
The recent arrests highlight the ongoing issue of illegal mining in the region and the police's commitment to addressing this illegal activity.
