33 illegal immigrants nabbed for alleged illicit mining in Pilgrim’s Rest
The suspects made their first court appearance on Monday, March 3, and the case was postponed for further investigations.
On March 2, Operation Vala Umgodi has led to the arrest of 33 illegal immigrants, between the ages of 18 and 45, for alleged illegal mining activities in Pilgrim’s Rest.
Five of the suspects are women and 28 are men.
They appeared in the Graskop Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 3.
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The case was postponed to March 7, 10 and 13 for further investigation, verification of their ages and to avoid overcrowding in court.
#sapsMP Operation Vala Umgodi was executed by members deployed in Pilgrim’s Rest on 02/03 and their efforts paid off with the arrest of 33 alleged illegal immigrants, aged between 18 and 45. #IllegalMining equipment seized. MEhttps://t.co/9x313gFWYg pic.twitter.com/0NoYWecjOl
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 4, 2025
According to a Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the police confiscated a number of items that are believed to be used for illegal mining activities.
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These include 11 phendukas, four generators, seven gas cylinders, a 1 000L water tank, two motors, two cutting torches, a water pump, spade, shovel, electrical cables, a jackhammer and a pilot gun.
