The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has continued its operations in Gauteng for the third day, targeting illegal mining in the Rietvallei area. The operation, which included door-to-door searches, resulted in the confiscation of equipment linked to mining activities and the arrest of several suspected illegal miners.
According to eyewitnesses, soldiers searched several shacks believed to be used by illegal miners and uncovered extensive illegal mining activities, including holes dug in open fields behind homes and backyard rooms converted into makeshift mines.
Impact on the Community
Some residents welcomed the presence of the soldiers, expressing hope that the operation would restore order in the area. An elderly woman whose shack was searched said residents were initially frightened at the sight of the army, but later appreciated the effort to combat illegal mining.
A woman revealed that her mother rented a room in their house to illegal miners for R1 000 per month, where they processed gold. Despite her warnings, her mother refused to stop. The woman expressed hope that the soldiers’ presence would restore order, adding that police operations in the past had been ineffective, as explained on the South African Government website.
Challenges and Criticisms
Soldiers, speaking anonymously, expressed shock at the scale of illegal mining in the area, particularly on a single street. They emphasised the need for sustained efforts to combat the issue. One soldier noted the positive reception from the community, saying, “We were not expecting this after the criticism we received a few days ago”.
Soldiers also criticised the lack of earlier intervention, believing illegal mining could have been prevented before it spread uncontrollably. “The only way to bring change is to fight crime at every level of law enforcement,” one soldier remarked. For more information on the SANDF’s role in combating crime, visit the South African National Defence Force website.
Here are some key facts about the operation:
- Several suspected illegal miners were arrested during the operation
- Confiscated items included machinery, tools, and gold-bearing material
- Two men, carrying Mozambican passports, were found with an undisclosed amount of cash
