SA's mines need to be protected from zama zamas, says Hawks head Lebeya
Hawks head, Godfrey Lebeya, said that the country’s mines, which are a major source of employment, need to be protected from zama zamas.
FILE: A cave where illegal miners seek refuge from Atok Village inhabitants' outcries. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Hawks head, Godfrey Lebeya, said that the country’s mines, which are a major source of employment, need to be protected from zama zamas.
While addressing the media on the directorate’s second quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, Lebeya identified Limpopo as a hotspot for illegal mining.
Lebeya said that two alleged illegal mining kingpins were arrested in December 2023, after being found in possession of chrome valued at about R20 million in Burgersfort.
"Preliminary investigations by the Hawks established that the recovered chrome was mined illegally from various mines within Sekhukhune district. The recovered chrome was confiscated."
Lebeya added that the two suspects were granted bail of R5,000 each and were expected to return to court in January 2025.