Nine suspects for illicit mining have been apprehended by Mpumalanga Police in a successful operation, and a significant amount of mining equipment has been seized. The Operation Vala Umgodi-related arrest took place at a farm in Schoemanskloof, outside of Nelspruit, on Friday.
Reports of illicit mining operations on the farm’s mountain prompted the police to initiate an operation that resulted in the arrest. According to a statement from Mpumalanga police, “a group of alleged illegal miners, upon noticing police presence, fled the scene into the dense bushes in an attempt to evade arrest.”
But the hardworking group was able to apprehend nine suspects, ranging in age from 24 to 63. The team was made up of representatives from the department of Home Affairs and other specialties within the South African Police Service (Saps).
Unauthorized Immigration
Seven of the suspects were discovered by the police to be illegal immigrants without proper documentation during the operation. Consequently, the foreign people were taken into custody for violating the Immigration Act.
The two remaining suspects were taken into custody for allegedly possessing illicit mining equipment and items bearing gold, respectively.
The police squad then carried out a comprehensive search through the thick undergrowth in order to find any hidden mining equipment.
“During this time, eight jackhammers, three phendukas (gold refining machines), two electric motors, two gas cylinders, thirteen shovels, eleven spades, sixteen pick axes, forty-five chisels, and nineteen hammers were confiscated along with thirty generators.”
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, has praised the police for their dedication in the battle against illicit mining and welcomed the arrest.
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