BAPONG - National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says more police officers will be deployed to Bapong village in the North West.
The area is at the centre of what residents describe as a rapidly growing illegal mining hub.
READ: Scores arrested as Bapong village turns into illegal mining hub
SAPS was in the area together with Natjoints and the SANDF.
Despite last week’s Operation Vala Mgodi deployment, illegal mining including large trucks believed to be hauling chrome continued.
Fourteen people have been arrested and machinery including trucks and vehicles have been seized.
Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said, "As part of our immediate intervention we have taken a decision that we are enhancing and heightening crime combating operations to deal with illegal mining activities in this area. We are deploying more police officers on the ground including various directorate of the police."
A mining expert says the surge in illegal mining here is exposing weaknesses in law and regulatory enforcement.
It's understood that five illegal miners have been trapped underground, and their rescue delayed for safety reasons.
It remains unclear when the search will resume.
More police are expected to arrive here during the week, as officers say the scale of the issue demands a multi-departmental approach.