Free State -
Eight suspected illegal miners appeared in different courts in the Free State, police said on Wednesday.
Three appeared in the Welkom Magistrate's Court, and would be back on September 6. The other five were in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate's Court and their second appearance would be on September 10, Captain Stephen Thakeng said.
They all appeared on Monday. The men, aged between 24 and 42, remained in custody.
“Members received a tip-off from residents who are sick and tired of illegal mining around the Goldfields mine,” said Thakeng.
The eight were caught between last Monday and Sunday. Police confiscated seven illegal firearms during the arrests at their homes.
“They were not caught mining. Hence they are only facing charges of (possession of) unlicensed firearms for now, and our investigations are continuing,” Thakeng said. - Sapa