Vala Umgodi operations lead to the arrest of forty suspects

HARTBEESPOORT – The integrated “Vala Umgodi” operations led to the arrest of forty suspects between Sunday, 29 September 2024 and Tuesday, 2 October 2024, in Hartbeespoortdam, Mooinooi, Tlhabane and Sun City.

All forty suspects were nabbed for contravention of Section 49 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act, (Act No. 13 of 2002). Fourteen suspects appeared before the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 1 October 2024. They were remanded in custody and will re-appear before the same court on Thursday, 3 October and Friday, 4 October 2024. 26 Other suspects will appear in the Mankwe and Bafokeng Magistrates’ Courts respectively on Thursday, 3 October 2024.

During the operations, the team seized illegal mining equipment such as jack hammers, spades, shovels, batteries, pendukas and wheelbarrows.

On Tuesday, 1 October 2024, the team visited an abandoned shaft in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District in Stilfontein and seized a huge amount of groceries like maize meal and tin food as well as mining equipment like water boots, paraffin and shovels.

The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the members for their continued efforts in the fight against illicit mining activities.