On the evening of 15 September 2022, police raided a business premise in Roodepoort and discovered equipment suspected to be used for illegal mining. The equipment which includes “pendukas” is allegedly manufactured by this company, using gas bottles and steel water pipes. Also found at the premises were iron balls, electric motors, generators and compressors. Three undocumented persons, who are employees of this company, were arrested while police are still searching for the owner of the company.
Earlier in the day, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, led Operation O Kae Molao in Florida where places reported to be harbouring illegal miners were raided. During this operation, police arrested more than 48 undocumented persons who are suspected to be illegal miners and seized bags full of what is suspected to be gold-bearing material, explosives, generators, pendukas and spades.
Lieutenant General Mawela welcomed the arrests and applauded the team that discovered the place that is manufacturing the illegal mining equipment. “It has always been my aim that we identify the person or company that manufactures and support illegal miners with tools of the trade. After we have disrupted and flattened the illegal mining, you will find that a few months later the operation is up and running again with new equipment. That clearly shows that there is someone who is supplying the tools of the trade. I am delighted that we eventually found the supplier. We will continue to deal decisively with illegal mining and disrupt any operation that surfaces,” said Lieutenant General Mawela.
