Illegal miners were among the twenty-one (21) illegal immigrants arrested this week at the Ekurhuleni District.
Other suspects were arrested for the possession of explosives, counterfeit cigarettes and drugs.
Police seized 104 phendukas, 21 steel pot crushers, 11 explosives, 19 generators, 6 gas cylinders, 3 hammers, 3 stampers and 5 phenduka stands.
Another 36 suspects were also arrested for illegal mining activities, at Majax and Nkanini areas of Pilgrim’s Rest in Mpumalanga.
They were arrested by a multidisciplinary operation conducted since last week Thursday.
The suspects, are between the ages of 24 and 41.
They were charged with the alleged contraventions of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
Additional charges include the possession of gold-bearing material (GBM), equipment (GBE) and three fines issued for Contraventions of liquor Act and the road traffic Act.
Picture: SAPS newsroom