Suspected illegal miners arrested for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition

Provincial Police Management vowed not to leave any stone unturned in the fight against the illegal proliferation of firearms and illegal mining activities in the province.

This follows the appearance of Neo Chaketsa (33) and Malefane Manama (35) in the Orkney Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 20 October 2021, for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The accused were nabbed by members of Stilfontein Public Order Police (POP) on Tuesday, 19 October 2021, after being found in possession of a firearm, 20 rounds of ammunition, two pairs of gumboots, and 21 knee guards.

The police were conducting crime-combatting patrols in Kanana Location near Orkney at about 01:00 when they received and responded to a tip-off about two armed suspected illegal miners at one of the local pubs. The accused were found at the pub and searched. Consequently, the above-mentioned properties were found in their possession. The pair were immediately arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

They are both expected to appear again at the same court tomorrow for a formal bail application.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena cautioned that the police working together with other role players will not hesitate to deal effectively with illicit mining activities and remove firearms which are used in the commission of serious and violent crimes, from the wrong hands.