Two male suspects were nabbed in the Mopani District for an alleged illegal mining of sand under Giyani policing area on Tuesday 17 September 2024 at about 19:30.
At about 17:55, police were deployed to monitor trucks that were driving into the mining sites being loaded with sand.
While busy, police received information about the illegal mining activities of sand in the Klein Letaba river and a joint operation Vala Umgodi was executed by the members of Crime Intelligence Unit together with Mopani Illegal Mining Task Team.
Police tactically approached the mining site and blocked all possible exits for the suspects not to evade an arrest and run away with the keys of the machinery they use to mine illegally.
Upon arrival at the scene, police found an excavator busy loading sand inside a white tipper-truck and two male suspects were immediately apprehended for mining sand without proper mining permit documents.
During the arrest, a white tipper-truck and excavator utilized in the commission of the crime were also seized by the police.
The two male suspects aged 26 and 43 are expected to appear before the Giyani Magistrate Court soon facing a charge of illegal mining of sand.
Police investigations are continuing.
