Welkom – Law enforcement officers in Welkom on Tuesday seized R28,000 worth of biltong they believed was destined for zama zamas (illegal miners) underground, Free State police said.
Police spokeswoman Molebogeng Lechesa said police raided a house in Flamingo Park, Welkom, after receiving a “tip-off”.
“Upon arrival the police searched the house and the garage. Inside the garage they found wrapped biltong which was also found inside plastic containers and masking tapes,” said Lechesa.
“A 45-year-old man who is the owner of the house was arrested and biltong meant for Zama-Zamas with the street value of R28 000 was seized.”
The man would appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of conspiracy to commit a crime.
On January 14, police arrested 21 people and seized beer worth R1.5 million it believed was destined for illegal miners, also in Welkom.
The suspects were charged with conspiring with illegal miners “and or other persons unknown to the State to aid in and or to procure the commission of an offence”.
African News Agency
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