Umamah Bakharia

Police have arrested 46 people in Randfontein, Johannesburg on its mission to crack down on illegal mining operations in the area.

The area came into the spotlight after eight women were raped at an unused mine in Krugersdorp while shooting a music video. Police have since arrested 81 people suspected of being in the country illegally; however, none of them has been linked to the rapes as yet.

Meanwhile, one person has died following the sting operation carried out by Police Minister Bheki Cele, Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela, the Tactical Response Team, the flying squad, the K-9 unit, and the Hawks.

“With this sweeping that we are doing, definitely the perpetrators will be found, but we need to go beyond those that caused that and make sure we stop even the future crime being committed from these people who are illegal,” says Cele.

According to the police, the arrested suspects include foreign nationals from neighbouring countries.

While, 700 tons of gold-bearing material, worth more than R2.5 million, were found in five of the illegal plants.

Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela said that more operations would follow: “But we intend to continue with that. The problem is not only on the West Rand.”