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MINER CAUGHT: Police drag one of the illegal miners arrested in Welkom in Free State towards an interrogation office. Photo: welkom Saps

BOOTY: A policeman displays part of the R75000 meant to pay illegal gold diggers that was seized. Photo: Welkom SAPS

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The men - two South Africans and three Zimbabweans - were found in possession of gold valued at more than R120000, four vehicles and R75000 in cash during a police operation last month.

During the arrest police also found 11 bottles of schedule four medicines, syringes, needles and sterilised water. The medicines were apparently used by the illegal miners underground, Welkom police spokesman Captain Stephen Thakeng said.

The syndicates recruit men from neighbouring countries and sneak them into mines with the help of corrupt mine security officials and staff members.

"The Hawks in Welkom launched an operation called Project Mercury, which took them five months of intensive investigation, to organise with the directorate of public prosecution to authorise the transaction and arrest of the suspected gold buyers," said Thakeng, who added the aim of the project was to bust the illegal gold buyers.

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Wed Jun 19 23:45:26 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 30, 2012

Memme

Well done to the Police - Credit needs to be given where is due !!!
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Apr 30, 2012

leshwabane

keep up the good work!
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Apr 30, 2012

dimpho_4U

Mr policeman,ke kopa one nyana ya that R 75 000 :)
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Apr 30, 2012

s.cold

im sure it was R150,000 not R75,000
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Apr 30, 2012

sabza007

Arrest these scumbags, if we allow such activities to go on, we will find ourselves having ''insurgents'' of some sought in this country. And those groups will be entirely or mostly consists of foreign nationals.
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Apr 30, 2012

s.cold

hey hey nina it was R150,000 not R75,000,,,this system works like that
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Apr 30, 2012

dimpho_4U

R75000 in cash during a police operation last month.
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LOL @s.cold what R150 000??? the article says R75 000 in cash!
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Apr 30, 2012

Lagent

I agree it was R15000 they took half now its R75000 LOL
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Apr 30, 2012

Phuphethakatha

Good work! And you can keep the other R75 000. We all know it was R150 000. You deserve it !!! tltltl...
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Apr 30, 2012

Segagodi

what are u wearing? short or bemuda . le na le go apara matlakala
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