The police have arrested 21 suspects in the Bapong area, North West, for illegal mining.
The newly established illegal mining crime combating team carried out the arrests between 11 December 2025 and 20 December 2025.
The zama zama crackdown targeted the Sarajevo Section, Legalaopeng and Modderspruit villages within the Mooinooi policing precinct.
BAPONG ILLEGAL MINING ARRESTS
Police said most of the suspects were arrested for contravening the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002, as well as Section 49 of the Immigration Act, 2002.
During the operation, officers arrested 11 suspects on 12 December 2025 and confiscated a Toyota LDV loaded with chrome-bearing material and various mining equipment.
Police further arrested five suspects for drinking in public, with two facing additional charges for contravening the Immigration Act.
On 18 December 2025, the crime combatting team arrested a 51-year-old suspect for illegal mining-related offences. Police seized a Nissan one-ton truck, an excavator and mining equipment during the arrest.
In Sarajevo, officers closed in on a 19-year-old suspect on 20 December 2025.
The suspect was with a wheelbarrow containing chrome-bearing material.
Subsequently, the police charged the suspect with illegal mining.
Additionally, the team arrested a 52-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman who were found with a bakkie carrying chrome-bearing material.
Police reported that both suspects are undocumented Zimbabwean nationals.
NORTH WEST ACTING COMMISSIONER APPLAUDS BAPONG ILLEGAL MINING ARRESTS
North West Acting Police Commissioner Major General Dr Ryno Naidoo has commended the crime combatting team for their efforts in tackling illegal mining in the area.
Naidoo said the Bapong illegal mining arrests demonstrate the police’s commitment to dismantling illicit mining operations and restoring law and order within affected communities.
