Fourteen alleged illegal miners caught at Eikenhof to appear in court

Fourteen suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning on charges related to operating illicit gold processing facilities in Eikenhof, South of Johannesburg.

The group of Zimbabwean nationals were arrested on Tuesday. They face charges of illegal possession of unwrought precious metals as well as contravention of the Immigration Act and Environmental Act.

Hawks spokesperson Lloyd Ramovha says tons of soil with gold-bearing material valued at over R2.5 million was recovered and removed from the scene.

He says it’s believed that cyanide was used to extract gold in an unregulated environment.

“The group was arrested on Tuesday, 13 August 2024, following a proactive multifaceted operation by authorities following numerous complaints from the community in and around Eikenhof about the existence of the facilities. The suspects who are Zimbabwean nationals, will face charges of illegal possession of unwrought precious metals as well as contravention of the Immigration Act and Environmental Act,” says Ramovha.

#sapsHAWKS Gauteng: #IllegalMining activities shut down at Eikenhof south of Johannesburg. 14 Suspects aged between 26 and 51 are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on 15/08, for charges related to operating illicit gold processing facilities in Eikenhof.… pic.twitter.com/XodBl5gF7v

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 14, 2024

Sahlulele Luzipo addressing illegal mining in North West and Gauteng: