Police crack down on illegal mining in Kleinzee, six foreign nationals detained

AUTHORITIES intensified their efforts against illegal mining in the Northern Cape with a sweeping crackdown in Kleinzee in the Namakwa District, resulting in the detention of six undocumented individuals suspected of engaging in illicit mining activities.

The operation, carried out under the ongoing Operation Vala Umgodi, targeted areas notorious for unauthorised excavation, including the Bontekoe and Nattaboi mining regions. 

According to Northern Cape spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam, law enforcement descended on these hot spots on Sunday, March 9, in a co-ordinated effort to root out illegal minining, as well as trace and detain illegal and undocumented immigrants involved in the illicit activity.

During the operation, six foreign nationals from Lesotho - five men and one woman, aged between 23 and 34 - were taken into custody. Immigration officials are now vetting the individuals, with legal proceedings expected to follow before they face deportation.

In addition to the arrests, the police seized 11 bags of diamond-bearing gravel found at the scene. However, no direct link could be established between the illicit stockpile and the detained suspects.

The surge in illegal mining, often driven by undocumented migrants, continues to be a pressing concern in the Northern Cape. Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling the problem, working closely with multiple agencies to dismantle the networks enabling illicit excavation and mineral smuggling.

As law enforcement tightens its grip on the Province’s illegal mining crisis, further operations and crackdowns are expected in the coming weeks to curb this persistent challenge.