Kimberley: 09 November 2023 - In an effort to address the ongoing illegal mining actions in Kimberley, the Frances Baard District Commissioner, Major General Johan Bean and his multi-disciplinary team executed an illegal mining operation on 08 November 2023 in Kimberley. The intelligence driven operation focusing on illegal mining in Kimberley netted 14 undocumented persons and the confiscation of a significant amount of mining equipment.
Members from the office of the Frances Baard District Commissioner, Kimberley, Roodepan, Galeshewe and Kagisho Police Stations, Crime Intelligence, K-9 Unit, Flying Squad, Tactical Response Team, Mounted unit, Ekapa Mine Security, Sol Plaatje Security, local traffic and the Department of Home Affairs executed the operation.
Undocumented persons from Lesotho and Zimbabwe comprising of 11 men and 3 women were arrested at the Kenilworth mining area, close to Samaria Road in Kimberley. The District Commissioner of Frances Baard, Maj Gen Johan Bean commended the Kimberley SAPS Station Commander, Brig Nicholas Mtongana and the team and reiterated that illegal mining is one of the priorities SAPS will be focusing on during this Festive Season and beyond.