MANZINI – Rotten cops in trouble.
National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango says the allegation that police officers are benefitting from the illegal gold mines will be thoroughly investigated and the culprits dealt with.
Masango said the Royal Eswatini Police Service has heard the allegation and are treating it with the seriousness it deserves.
He assured that the suspect illegal miners will also be asked to state the names of officers they were working with.
“We have heard allegations that police are benefitting, and we were not happy to hear such allegations. In the event we get the names of the corrupt officers, the law will definitely take its course,” he said.
He said after making a cognisance of the thriving illegal mining, the police launched investigations to unearth the criminal elements.
He said police are aware of the seriousness of the illegal mining as similar activities had also been widely reported in South Africa.
“We saw the resurgence of illegal mining in South Africa which led to the formation of Operation Vala Umgodi. Likewise, we will also continue with the operation that we have started.
“This is why we have escalated our operation and even stationed the Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU) to be on alert, close to these mines and support the existing units there.”
He said police have also noted how foreign nationals are also taking advantage of the illegal mines, which is a recipe for disaster.
The NATCOM said people who are eager to start mining companies must follow the stipulated channels.
Masango said some people had been questioning why the police are not arresting the suspects in illegal mining.
“These zama zama activities have been thriving while we did not exert enough effort to root them out. It is becoming a disease that we must deal decisively with. We plan the operation in such a way that no one should lose their lives in the course of the operation,” he said.
The police operation targeting illegal mining activities in Pigg’s Peak on Wednesday resulted in the arrest of two Zimbabweans and a South African national, who are alleged zama zamas.
The three suspects Levious Magebuza (26) and Abel Ncube (29), both from Zimbabwe and Sakhile Nkosi (26) from South Africa appeared before Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Nkosingiphile Maseko. They were charged for contravening the Mines and Minerals Act No. 4/2011.
They were accused of carrying out a reconnaissance operation without a licence. They were allegedly found in possession of 12kg of green chert stones.
The arrests followed a 5pm raid on Wednesday, targeting illegal mining activities at Malanda and Mangwaneni. During the operation, police officers confiscated equipment used by the suspects at the different mines such as Pigg’s Peak Old Mine and the Malolotja Green Chert Mine.
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