The multi-disciplinary forces through disruptive Operation Vala Umgodi have arrested two male suspects for illegal mining at Mavalani illegal mining site outside Giyani in Mopani District.
According to the information available at this stage, the members of the SAPS Tactical Response Team and Public Order Police unit have on Saturday, 20 April 2024, pounced on two male suspects, aged 28 and 47, at Mavalani illegal mining site while processing precious minerals.
In addition, a 26-year-old male suspect was arrested on Saturday, 20 April 2024, for illegal mining of sand at Mahwelereng outside Mokopane in Waterberg District.
The Police during the operation , confiscated mining equipment that were found being used at the illegal mining sites that included tipper trucks, a TLB front loader, phendukas, welding machines, grinders, shovels and picks as well as bags containing precious metals.
During the execution of the high-density operation in the districts of Capricorn and Sekhukhune, a total number of ten foreign nationals were arrested for contravention of Immigration Act.
The arrested foreign nationals were referred to the Immigration Officers from the Department of Home Affairs for processing purposes.
The suspects are expected to appear before various Magistrate’s Court soon in due course facing charges of illegal mining and contravention of immigration laws.
High-density Operation Vala Umgodi pounce on illegal miners caught in the act of processing precious metals https://t.co/RTZAelKldB#ArriveAlive #IllegalMining #Enforcement @SAPoliceService @TruckAndFreight pic.twitter.com/2zmcrlP6ec
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 22, 2024
