The Police in Limpopo through Operation Vala Umgodi continues in relentlessly through endeavours to combat illicit mining activities and sustaining stability in all mining areas within the entire province.
A total number of seven male suspects aged between 22 and 42 were arrested in Sekhukhune District during a disruptive Operation Vala Umgodi conducted during the night of Monday 29 January 2024.
The two male Mozambique nationals were arrested under Mecklenburg policing area for contravention of the Immigration Act while the five Zimbabwean National male suspects were caught in the act while digging chrome underground in a yard in the middle of the night at Apel village.
In a separate incident during Operation Vala Umgodi, a 17-year-old male suspect Zimbabwean national was caught on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, in the act of digging gold underground at Muchipisi village outside Malamulele in Vhembe District.
The suspect is expected to appear before Malamulele Magistrate’s Court soon in the week facing charges of contravention of immigration act and of the precious metals act, as well as illicit mining.
The Police confiscated a number of mining equipment that were found being used in the commission of illicit mining that included 1x blue power generator, 2 x water pumps, 3 x jackhammer, 1 x crowbar, 3 x hammers, 2 x electrical cables, 1 x robe 1 x pick, 2 shovels, 3 x chisels, 5 x bags of precious metals as well as a cellphone Samsung.
A 45-year-old male accused Rebakeng Joseph Moloto, who was arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition during Operation Vala Umgodi at Mecklenburg policing area, was granted bail on Monday 29 January 2024 and the case was postponed to Wednesday 28 February 2024 for further investigations.
Meanwhile, two other male suspects have appeared before Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court on Monday 29 January 2024 and were released on bail and their cases of illicit mining of sand was postponed to Wednesday 28 February 2024 for further investigations.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, hailed the collaborative approach by the role players which resulted in the confiscation and subsequent arrest of suspects.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear before Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 31 January 2024.
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