By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Police Service in Gauteng says 28 undocumented foreigners were arrested during an anti-crime operation in Mohlakeng, Randfontein.
The police led a crime combating operation after community members took to the streets, calling for a shutdown of illegal mines in the area.
Community members burnt shacks in Extension 11, Mohlakeng and ransacked two homes close to mine shafts.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said: “Following protests that started this morning in Mohlakeng, the West Rand District Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, went to the ground with local councillors and community leaders to address the protesters on intervention plans that are being implemented to deal with illegal mining activities in the district.”
She also said that the municipality was closing one of the mining sites in the area.
“Public order police and visible policing members are monitoring the situation and swiftly responding to sporadic incidents,” added Muridili.
Last week, residents of the West Rand took to the streets to express their anger at illegal miners in the area who they blame for crimes – such as rape, theft and corruption – in the area.
“What happened last week with the community, we engaged with the community including the councillors. We set up a plan on an agreement to say we will address specific issues which are crime, drugs, firearms and the main issues are the illegal miners, said Kekana.
“We agreed with them we are going to bring in enforcement to ensure that their concerns are addressed properly. That’s what we did on Friday.”
“We arrested South African citizens for possession of drugs. Out of that we also managed to arrest today [Monday] just here in Randfontein, we arrested 28 undocumented persons.”
The protests in Krugersdorp, Kagiso, Bekkersdal and Mohlakeng were sparked by the rape of 10 young women while they were producing a music video.