Thirteen (13) foreigners nabbed for illicit mining

NAMAQUA – On Wednesday, 10 January 2024 members from Public Order Police executing Operation Vala Umgodi, conducted search and seizure actions in the Namaqua district. A total of 13 undocumented persons were arrested. Twelve undocumented Lesotho nationals between the ages of 23 and 45 and one undocumented Zimbabwe national aged 45, were apprehended.

A 190 items, believed to be used in the commission of illicit mining, was seized, including: pliers, jackhammers, drills, spotlights, grinders, generators, shovels, sand sieves, pickaxes, chisels, hand hammers and crewdrivers. Operation Vala Umgodi will continue unabated to curb illicit mining.