BAPONG - Police have flooded Bapong in the North West as the crackdown on illegal mining intensifies.
Authorities are hunting the kingpin behind the crisis that’s left residents on edge.
Air support, crime intelligence, tactical units, and the Hawks are all in on the operation.
Residents blame poverty and unemployment for driving the illegal mining crisis here.
More police are set to arrive in Bapong in the coming days.
Once in place, they’ll remove all machinery found on site.
Authorities are working with stakeholders, including the Department of Mineral Resources, to help seal off the open shafts.
- eNCA's Bafedile Moerane reports.