On July 6 and 7, 2022, a coordinated operation was carried out in an effort to stop illicit mining activities in the Namakwa District along the coast, with a particular focus on Oubeep, Kleinsee, Nuttabooi, and Bontekoei.
The combined operation’s objectives included stopping illegal mining operations, apprehending illegal miners, identifying and handling unauthorized individuals, and seizing mining tools and equipment.
Under the operational direction of Brigadier Hennie van Rensburg, the Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, various SAPS components, the Namakwa District office, units, police stations, and the DPCI, with assistance from the Department of Home Affairs, the Police Secretariat, State Security Agency, and the Department of Minerals, participated in the execution of the operation.
When the authorities moved in on illegal miners in the Nuttabooi mining area early on Wednesday morning, July 6, 2022, the disruptive activities started.
A place where the operation was carried out was identified, and over 300 illegal miners were discovered digging there.
Two Squirrel helicopters from the Free State and Western Cape, as well as a fixed-wing Porter aircraft from the Northern Cape, provided air assistance to the ground troops by guiding the ground forces and observing the movement of the miners from above.
The operation resulted in the seizure of several mining tools and equipment, including five cars, 130 generators, and 121 jack hammers, spades, chisels, drilling machines, picks, and grinders.
The equipment and confiscated vehicles were worth a combined R3.5 million (three and half million rand).
Along with drugs, a weapon was also found in the mining area. The collective crew also carried out searches in the Bontekoei informational settlement.
95 people without documentation, 14 people for illegal mining, and one person for drug possession were detained.
After being processed, the suspects will show up in the Springbok Magistrates court.
During a parade after the operation, the acting provincial commissioner, major general Koliswa Otola, addressed the participants and expressed her sincere gratitude and appreciation to all SAPS members and the external role-players who took part in carrying out the operation for the committed and professional way in which they conducted themselves.
Additionally, she said that similar operations would be carried out in all areas of the province where illegal mining is an issue.