Continuous efforts by law enforcement through Operations Vala Umgodi conducted in the five districts of Limpopo over the long weekend have led to the arrest of over 30 suspects. Between Friday, 21 March, and Saturday, 22 March, thirty-three (33) undocumented foreign nationals and three (03) illegal miners aged between 38 and 57 were apprehended at Mankweng and Giyani policing areas.

VALA UMGODI

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said members of SAPS and SANDF patrolled identified illegal mining sites, conducting stop and searches across the province. "This resulted in the arrest of the 33 undocumented foreign nationals at Waterberg, Vhembe, Sekhukhune, Mopani, and Capricorn Districts," said Mashaba.

THE SUSPECTS

Mashaba added that in the Capricorn District, a 57-year-old man was arrested for illegally mining sand at Segwai River, Ga-Mothapo Village. "In another incident, in Giyani, two female suspects aged 38 and 52 were arrested for illegally processing precious minerals at Nsami River in Mavalani Village. The suspects were spotted busy mining, and upon being tactically approached, they failed to produce a valid mining permit. An additional charge of contravention of the immigration act was added against a 38-year-old suspect," he said. Mashaba confirmed that the police confiscated a variety of items during the arrests such as shovels, and picks amongst others. The suspects will appear before the local Magistrate's Courts soon.