12 people were arrested in Primrose on Saturday, 12 October 2024.
SAPS (South African Police Service) said the arrest was made by its joint effort with the South African National Defence Force, at Rasta Informal Settlement.
The initiative is part of Operation Vala Umgodi, an initiative to combat illegal mining.
SAPS said in a statement, it recovered tools used for illegal mining, that include 69 x Phendukas, 3 x Generator, 1 x Motor, 2 x petrol tanks, 12 x Water pumps, 2 x Oxygen cylinders, 8 x Spades, 1 x Tree cutting scissor, 500 x Iron balls, 1 x Stumper pots and 2 x Stumper rods.
The team also confiscated alcohol, 20 x 750ml Carling Black Label beers, 20x 650ml Heineken beers, 6 x 660ml Hunters dry beers, 29 x 750ml Castle milk stout beers and 9 x 100ml Sachets Vodka.
The suspects will be charged with unlawful possession of gold and unlawful possession of precious metals, amongst other crimes.