Three foreign nationals were arrested following a tactical operation by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) targeting illegal mining activities in northern Hhohho.
Two Zimbabweans and a South African national were hauled before Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Nkosingiphile Masekoto to answer charges of illegal mining.
The zama zamas suspects were arrested after an operation carried out by police on Wednesday morning in Pigg’s Peak.
It is alleged that the illegal miners navigated the Old Pigg’s Peak Mine, located outside Pigg’s Peak town on the route to Bulembu, in search of precious stones.
Police raided several areas, including Malanda, Mangwaneni and Macambeni, during the operation.
Levious Magebuza (26) and Abel Ncube (29), both from Zimbabwe, together with South African national Sakhile Nkosi (26), were charged with contravening Section 3 read with Section 141 (1) and (2) of the Mines and Minerals Act No. 4 of 2011.
The three accused were remanded in custody until February 11 after bail was denied, pending forensic analysis of soil particles and minerals found in their possession.
According to the charge sheet, on January 28 at Mhlatane Quarters in Pigg’s Peak, the accused persons, either individually or acting jointly in furtherance of a common purpose, allegedly carried out reconnaissance operations without a valid reconnaissance licence.
They were reportedly found in possession of 12 kilograms of green chert stones — a mineral commonly associated with gemstone mining and valued for use in jewellery and ornamental stone products.
Crown counsel Abel Shabangu moved an application that the accused not be granted bail and be kept in custody pending testing of the seized soil and stones by the National Geology Department to determine whether the material contained any mineral.
The application was granted.
In an earlier public notice, REPS confirmed that the operation was expected to run over several days.
Police also warned residents to stay away from areas affected by illegal mining activities.
“We urge members of the public to stay away from the affected areas for their own safety as police operations continue,” police said, adding that more information would be communicated as events unfold.
REPS has appealed to members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting information related to illegal mining, as authorities intensify efforts to curb the practice and protect communities, the environment and national resources.
Police not only confiscated soil particles but also seized equipment used in the mining and purification of gold.
Among the items confiscated were an electric grinder, two rock drillers, a petrol generator, a Handigas No. 19, large ropes and a cutting torch.
