A total of eight suspects, aged between 28 and 39, were arrested in separate incidents at Lebowakgomo, Letsitele, and Makhado Policing areas respectively during Operation Vala Umgodi conducted on Tuesday, 22 April 2025.
Two suspects, both aged 39, were arrested for illegal mining of sand at Mamaolo Village in Tudumo River at Lebowakgomo Policing area, under Capricorn District. Members caught the suspects in the act of mining sand for which the suspects failed to produce a valid mining permit. The suspects were arrested on the spot.
During the arrest, one Nissan truck, two pickaxes, and one shovel were seized at the scene.
Meanwhile, three suspects, aged between 28 and 34, were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act at Makhado Policing area in Vhembe District. ln another incident at the Letsitele Policing area in Mopani, three suspects were also detained for Immigration Act violations. One of the arrested suspects, aged 37, was found in possession of fraudulent asylum document. A charge of fraud was then added against him.
The suspects will appear before the local Magistrate’s Court.
The Police investigations are ongoing.
