A 35-year-old Mozambican national has been arrested for the unlawful possession of ammunition during Operation Vala Umgodi at Makheshe Mountain near Agnes Mine in Barberton.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation conducted on June 4, during which suspected illegal miners fled upon noticing law enforcement officers.

“The suspects left behind mining equipment, including phendukas and an unlicensed firearm,” Ndubane said. “During a follow-up operation conducted on June 6, police located the suspect hiding in thick bushes, where he was found in possession of 10 rounds of ammunition.”

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The ammunition recovered from the suspect consisted of six .303 rifle rounds and four .38 special rounds.

Ndubane added that police also made significant discoveries nearby. In an area linked to illegal mining activities, officers recovered 539 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, including 51 R1 rifle rounds, 54 .38 special rounds, 104 .303 rifle rounds, 115 AK-47 rifle rounds, 213 .308 rifle rounds and two 9 mm pistol rounds.

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In addition, two generators believed to have been used in illegal mining operations were found abandoned. The South African Police Service Bomb Disposal Unit was called in to safely destroy the phendukas recovered during the operation.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with the unlawful possession of ammunition and contravening the Immigration Act. He is expected to appear before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on June 8.