Police have arrested nine people in the Sekhukhune district in Limpopo for illegal mining and violations of the Immigration Act.
Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Masekela Magoro said the Sekhukhune district’s Operation Vala Umgodi team continues its relentless efforts to combat illegal mining activities through targeted enforcement actions.
Magoro said on Tuesday, during a strategic follow-up operation conducted at Ha-Pasha, intelligence-led officers identified suspected illegal miners operating in the area.
Significant progress made
“Upon arrival, the team swiftly apprehended nine individuals aged between 22 and 44 for their involvement in illegal mining and violations of the Immigration Act. The suspects are currently in custody at Mecklenburg SAPS [SA Police Service],” he said.
Magoro said the operation also resulted in the seizure of several items, including three wheelbarrows, a generator, a jackhammer, two shovels, three chisels, and petrol (10-litre and five-litre containers).
“The SAPS remains committed to protecting our country’s natural resources and maintaining law and order.
“As illegal mining continues to threaten our environment and communities, the SAPS will persist in its efforts to dismantle these unlawful networks and ensure a safer and sustainable future for all,” said Magoro.
Meanwhile, police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said nationwide Vala Umgodi operations continue to make significant progress to combat and prevent illegal mining in the country.
Mukhathi said this week’s operations led to the arrests of 239 suspects of different nationalities from June 1 to June 15.
Thousands arrested since December 2023
He said these suspects were arrested for illegal mining-related offences and various other crimes, including, among others, attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of unpolished diamonds, unlawful possession of explosives, contravention of the Immigration Act, and drug trafficking.
Mukhathi said among various items seized during the Vala Umgodi operations this week are six unlicensed firearms, 26 rounds of ammunition, and four vehicles that include sedans, trucks, and one tractor loader backhoe.
“With coordinated operations across the affected provinces, Operation Vala Umgodi continues to deliver results in its mandate to disrupt and dismantle illegal mining activities, specifically within and around mining communities,” said Mukhathi.
Since its inception in December 2023, Operation Vala Umgodi has led to the arrests of more than 27 000 suspects with more than 600 firearms, which include imitation firearms (toy guns), and 16 000 rounds of ammunition seized.
