A multi-disciplinary Vala Umgodi team apprehended 21 suspected illegal miners in Bojanala Platinum District on Wednesday, 25 and Thursday, 26 September 2024, for contravention of section (49) (1) (a) of Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).

The suspects, aged between 20 and 56, were nabbed in Tlhatlaganyane, Witrandjie, and Mooinooi. They include 10 Lesotho, five Mozambique, three Malawi, one Ethiopia, and one Zimbabwe foreign nationals and a South African. During the operations, the team seized illegal mining equipment such as generators, jack hammers, spades, drills, crowbars, and other tools.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Brits and Mogwase Magistrates’ Courts, respectively, on Monday, 30 September 2024.

The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the Vala Umgodi team for the sterling job they do in the fight against illicit mining in the province.