ILLEGAL GOLD MINING TOOLS FOUND AT UMPHAKATSI

PIGG’S PEAK – Police have seized mining tools and contraptions used by illegal miners to extract gold from the deposits of Lomati Mine, during an early morning raid at Hhelehhele Umphakatsi recently.

The police were acting on a tip-off that some people residing at the umphakatsi were allegedly illegally mining gold at the mine. Four alleged illegal miners, popularly known as ‘zama zamas’ , managed to evade arrest when the police swooped on them in their flats within the umphakatsi. During the raid by the law enforcers, they found and confiscated equipment including gas cylinders, chains, a compressor, buckets and other tools. It is believed all these tools were used by the suspects when committing their illegal act.

Deposits

Allegations were that the ‘zama zamas’ were skilled in refining the gold deposits and were supplying a black market outside the country, mostly in neighbouring South Africa. According to sources close to the matter, a man and three women who reside at the umphakatsi are suspected to be behind the criminal activity. Sources informed this publication that following the tip-off that illegal miners residing within the umphakatsi had acquired mining machinery, and carried their work there, the police acted swiftly. It was said that the police had visited the Hhelehhele Umphakatsi on two occasions last month, to confiscate the machinery.

Apart from the mining equipment discovered by the police, an electric extension cable connected from one of the umphakatsi’s houses to the illegal mining site is said to have also been found by the law enforcers. The Hhelehhele Umphakatsi is situated about five kilometres away from the Lomati Mine, which is located at the foot of Lufafa Mountain, along the Mlumati River. It is under Chief Ndlaludzaka, who is among the chiefs who were recently blessed by Their Majesties. Hhelehhele Indvuna Prophet Sibandze confirmed that machinery used by illegal miners residing within the umphakatsi was found and confiscated by the police within the royal kraal premises. Sibandze said three women resided at the umphakatsi, on a temporary agreement.

The man on the run is suspected to be the mastermind behind the illegal mining and is allegedly now on the police wanted list. “When we learnt of this kind of criminal activity, the police were alerted and they swiftly responded. They intended to gain entry into the umphakatsi without spooking the suspects, since the structures of the umphakatsi are on top of a cliff,” said Sibandze. The indvuna highlighted that the police confiscated the mining equipment, while the suspected illegal miners fled and their whereabouts remain unknown. He said he was not sure of recent developments as he was currently away, busy with the national elections duties. “Kuyagangeka lapha endlunkhulu, kunalabagcoba leligolide,” he said in vernacular, loosely translated to mean; “There are criminal activities carried out at the umphakatsi, as illegal gold miners are processing the gold here.”

Sibandze further highlighted that, as community leaders, they had a meeting with the mine officials to deliberate further on how illegal mining could be prevented in the area, because such activities were carried out in hidden sites. “We inspected the forests with the lead criminal investigating officer in the Hhohho Region, where we also discovered an electric extension cable. When he investigated where it was connected to, it led to the discovery of the tools and some makeshift machinery, which were all confiscated by the police,” he said. Further, the indvuna said they deliberated during their meeting with the mine officials on how they planned to assist the local residents in terms of job opportunities and community development initiatives, which could play a vital role in minimising crime in the community. “On Tuesday, before fully concentrating on national elections duties, I had also sent a strong warning to the people of Hhelehhele, that it was against the law for them to engage in illegal mining of gold deposits in the area, since they did not hold the required licence to do so.  I told them that they would be arrested if found,” he said.

Confirmed

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, confirmed that the police confiscated mining tools and machinery used for illegal mining of gold at Hhelehhele Umphakatsi. She said their investigations unearthed that the prime suspects were renting one of the houses at the umphakatsi and had now abandoned it. An aunt to the chief was left to oversee the umphakatsi. This is because the chief does not reside there but occasionally visits. Meanwhile, community members at Hhelehhele said illegal miners who flocked the mining site in search for gold deposits, mainly came from South Africa. They are said to be well behaved in social circles, as their sole purpose is to do the illegal mining without drawing attention to themselves.

Last month, at least 14 people were arrested for allegedly trying to steal gold deposits at the mine. The suspects were caught by security personnel at the mine, while mining the gold. The security personnel first caught 11 people then a few days later, caught three more. They were charged for contravening Section 141(1) and (2) of the Mines and Mineral Act No. 4/2011 and trespassing.  ‘Zama Zamas’ are infamous for agitating gang wars and using illegal firearms in their trade. Wherever they operate, violent crimes have been reported, such as rape, robberies and murder.

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