The SAPS’s Vala Umgodi task team in Gauteng made a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal mining this week when they swooped down on suspects in Blyvooruitzicht near Carletonville.

The successful operation was carried out on Monday, July 14, as part of the ongoing Operation Vala Umgodi initiative targeting illicit mining syndicates and related crimes.

During the operation, 13 suspects aged between 18 and 36 were arrested for a range of serious offences. These included possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, illegal explosives, and being in possession of a stolen vehicle that had been hijacked in Lenasia South.

Police confiscated the grey Toyota Etios, which was positively linked to a carjacking case. In addition to the firearms and vehicle, police seized various explosives commonly used in illegal mining, including detonating cords, Superpower blasting cartridges, and a connector capped fuse.

Several of the arrested suspects were also found to be in violation of the Immigration Act, further compounding the charges against them.

All 13 suspects are expected to appear in the Oberholzer Magistrate’s Court in the coming days.