By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Hawks in Gauteng have arrested seven men believed to be illegal mining kingpins and seized 14 vehicles worth millions.
The foreign nationals were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on Gauteng’s West Rand as part of Operation Gillette.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the raids on the residences of alleged illegal mining kingpins were being conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and other stakeholders.
Mogale confirmed that two other people were taken in for questioning.
“The two people are people of interest and we took them in for questioning… For now, it’s seven suspects who are in custody,” she said at one of the scenes in Carletonville.
Mogale said police could not rule out the possibility of a link between Tuesday’s arrests and illegal mining activities in Krugersdorp.
“We cannot do that at this stage. Some of the investigations in Krugersdorp are being investigated by the Hawks serious organised crime investigation.”
Maj-Gen Fred Kekana of the SAPS said: “This is not the end. We expect to continue to flush, remove and arrest those who might still be outside [on the streets].”
Community members encircled the house in Carletonville around midday. They cheered and whistled as the vehicles were impounded.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Carletonville Magistrates Court on charges money laundering, dealing in illegal precious metals and fraud.