Sixteen suspects aged between 18 and 45 were arrested during the ongoing Operations Vala Umgodi, for contravention of immigration laws, and illegal mining at Malamulele, Jane Furse, and Maake Policing areas, on Wednesday, 14 May 2025.
Seven suspects aged between 18 and 35 were arrested for contravention of immigration laws in the Malamulele Policing area in Vhembe District.
During the operation, the team recovered equipment such as Phendukas, spades, shovels, and pickaxes.
In another incident at Mopani, three aged between 19 and 29 were arrested for contravention of immigration laws.
Meanwhile, in the Sekhukhune District at Jane Furse Policing area, four male suspects aged between 23 and 45 were arrested for contravention of immigration laws. One suspect aged 45 was arrested at Ga-Molepane Village, and 1x TLB machine was confiscated in the Jane Furse Policing area.
In Mopani, a 42-year-old suspect was arrested for illegal mining and a white Toyota tipper truck and 2x shovels at the Maake Policing area.
The suspects will appear before the local Magistrate’s Court soon.
The police investigations are ongoing.
Illegal miners arrested during the ongoing Operation Vala Umgodihttps://t.co/t5GdFkVK6a#ArriveAlive #IllegalMining @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/wwcigBTpTt
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) May 16, 2025
