In a significant success following the multidisciplinary Vala Umgodi operation across Limpopo, 29 suspects aged between 19 and 52, were arrested for various offenses, including illegal mining of sand and presumed gold-bearing materials, possession of illegal ammunition and illicit cigarettes, and contravention of immigration laws.

The intelligence-driven joint operations, supported by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), were carried out between Tuesday, 21 January, and the early hours of Wednesday, 22 January 2025.

Key successes include multiple arrests in the Malamulele policing area under the Vhembe District by members of the Vhembe Task Team, MAJOC Roving Team, and SANDF.

The operation began with the arrest of a 30-year-old undocumented foreign national for illegal mining and processing of gold-bearing materials in Madonsi village on Monday at about 20:30.

Following this, four undocumented foreign nationals, aged between 27 and 40, were arrested in Muchipisi village. A 32-year-old suspect was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday, at around 03:00, for unlawful possession of two sharp 9mm ammunition and 19 empty cartridges. The suspect was further charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm.

The operation culminated in the arrest of four suspects, aged between 31 and 52, for possession of four 25-liter buckets containing presumed gold-bearing materials in Matsakali village.

In a separate operation, a 36-year-old male was arrested for illegal sand mining at Tambo village in the Dennilton policing area under the Sekhukhune

District through an intelligence-driven operation. The suspect was found assisting five individuals in loading sand into their trucks using a TLB. The five individuals were also arrested for illegal mining. One suspect was found mining sand illegal in Hlogotlou policing precinct. Two shovels and one were seized during the arrest.

A 44-year-old suspect was arrested in Xihoko village, Letsitele, under the Mopani District for the same offense.

Further operations in the Capricorn District led to the arrest of six undocumented foreign nationals in the Senwabarwana policing precinct, while the Waterberg District Task Team arrested one individual for immigration violations and four others for possessing illicit cigarettes in Mokopane.

The suspects will appear in their respective Magistrate’s Courts on Thursday, 23 January 2025.