Live ammunition confiscated in clampdown on illegal mining site in Pilgrim’s Rest
A total of 28 live rounds of ammunition were found abandoned at the Ducksgully illegal mining site in Pilgrim’s Rest in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, police officers accompanied by officials of the Department of Home Affairs were part of an operation that started at 3:00. The suspected illegal miners managed to evade arrest as the team stormed the illegal mining site but left the live ammunition behind.
In addition, 34 phendukas, 45 dagga sachets, 29 bearings, eight fan belts, three electric motors, three gas cylinders, and two generators have been abandoned by the illegal miners.
The operation was part of Vala Umgodi, an initiative led by the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, and the Department of Home Affairs, aimed at combatting illegal mining.
Eleven people aged between 18 and 35 were arrested during the operation. Ten are Mozambican nationals and one is a Zimbabwean national.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Pilgrim’s Rest magistrates court tomorrow.
