Fourteen Zimbabwean nationals were apprehended earlier this week and are set to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The group is facing multiple charges relating to the operation of illicit gold processing facilities in Eikenhof near Lenasia. Their ages range from 26 to 51.
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The arrests followed a proactive, multifaceted operation by law enforcement authorities, which was initiated following numerous complaints from the local Eikenhof community.
The police spokesperson, Captain Lloyd Ramovha, confirmed that the Zimbabwean nationals are facing charges of illegal possession of unwrought precious metals, as well as contraventions of the Immigration Act and the Environmental Act.
The West Rand based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, armed with a search warrant, undertook the operation at around 10:00 am.
This was a comprehensive law enforcement effort, involving the Police Tactical Response Team (TRT), Gauteng traffic helicopters, the local Community Police Forum, and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
The illegal facilities, which were located on plots along either side of the R554 road, were immediately shut down. Law enforcement recovered and removed tons of soil with gold-bearing material valued at over R2.5 million. Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, the provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, praised the multidisciplinary team effort.
He highlighted the environmental and health risks posed by such operations, particularly due to the use of cyanide in an unregulated context. He also emphasized the economic damage caused by these illegal activities and urged communities to report any similar suspicions to authorities.
