Fight against illegal mining challenging, says EMPD
On Tuesday, EMPD members from their illegal mining task team engaged in a shooting with dozens of zama zamas after being fired upon.
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers arrested seven suspected illegal miners during a multidisciplinary operation in Primrose, Germiston, on 9 April 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) on Gauteng's East Rand continues to fight back against the scourge of illegal mining.
On Tuesday, EMPD members from their illegal mining task team engaged in a shooting with dozens of zama zamas after being fired upon.
Seven suspected illegal miners were arrested following the incident in Primrose, near the Simmer and Jack landfill site.
EMPD's deputy chief of operations and specialised units, General Julius Mkhwanazi, said that their work remained challenging.
"Our teams are trained, not underground, they only operate in the upper structures. These suspects sit there and are able to identify us while we are still coming and approaching them. It is a very serious challenge and they are well armed. The unfortunate part is that even if we arrest them, they are illegal immigrants, we can’t even trace where they live or profile them."