The multi-disciplinary forces comprising of the SAPS Tactical Response Team, Public Order Police, Organised Crime Investigation and the SANDF with the Department of Home Affairs as well as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy continue to disrupt illegal sand mining activities in Vhembe District through Operation Vala Umgodi.
The team arrested two male suspects, aged 39 and 74, for contravention of National Environmental Management Act. According to the information available at this stage it is reported that the duo were found at Tshakhuma illegal sand mining sites while digging sand with excavator and loading it into a tipper truck without having a legitimate mining permit.
The Police have confiscated the mining equipment from Tshakhuma illegal sand mining that included a tipper truck and an excavator.
In a separate incident, the Border Police Team in Beitbridge Port of Entry, through a Disruptive Operation Vala Umgodi, have confiscated a home-made wooden ferry from the western side of Beitbridge and a home-made wooden ladder under the Beitbridge which are believed to have been used for crossing and smuggling of counterfeit goods between Zimbabwe and South Africa at the Limpopo River. It is reported that the Police have burned both the ferry and the ladder for disposal purposes.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the collaborative engagement with external stakeholders for their efforts to prevent and combat illegal mining activities.
“The multi-disciplinary forces under Operation Vala Umgodi, are committed to protecting the minerals of the Republic of South Africa, thus making life extremely difficult for law breakers in and around our borders,” concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The suspects are expected to appear before Vuwani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 10 May 2024 facing charges of illegal mining.
