By Everson Luhanga
A suspected zama zama kingpin who is allegedly providing arms and ammunition has been arrested.
The suspect was arrested when Minister of Police Bheki Cele, National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, and Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela joined the police at a roadblock at an illegal mining disruptive operation in Roodepoort.
Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said police have started looking into more than 140 suspects and recovered rifles, including an AK-47, from the man suspected to be a kingpin of illegal mining in the West Rand.
Lt-Col Masondo said senior provincial police officials had embarked on Operation Safer Festive Season when they made the arrest.
“Police received information about a suspect who has unlicensed firearms in Bekkersdal, West Rand District,” he said.
He said police followed up on the information on 21 October, the day of Operation Safer Festive Season.
“Upon searching the premises, police from Crime Intelligence and Bekkersdal Visible Policing found two unlicensed firearms (R5 rifle and AK-47 rifle) and dagga.
“A 36-year-old, undocumented foreign national, was arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and dealing in dagga,” said Lt-Col Masondo.
After his arrest, police detectives traced wanted suspects and arrested 56 people for crimes ranging from rape to fraud.
Officials also arrested 85 suspects for possession of suspected stolen goods and undocumented foreign nationals.
Lt-Col Masondo said generators and drilling machines used by the illegal miners were seized as the police dismantled and disrupted the operation.
Pictured above: Policemen.
Image source: Supplied
