The high-density Operation Vala Umgodi continues to bear fruit as 24 foreign nationals, aged between 18 and 65, were arrested for illegal mining activities and violations of immigration laws.

These arrests on Thursday, by the SAPS officers in Driekop in the Sekhukhune District of Limpopo, are the latest in a spate of arrests made as part of the operation.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba in a statement says the SAPS Sekhukhune District Illicit Mining Task Team made the arrests in Ga-Maroga village.

“The individuals were discovered engaging in unlawful mining activities in unauthorised areas and were found to be in the country illegally. During the operation, a significant amount of mining equipment used in the illicit activities was confiscated. The seized items include a TLB, a tipper truck, six power generators, four shovels, three jackhammers, a pressure pump, a white electrical cable, and two toolboxes,” Ledwaba explains.

More arrests

SA News reports that on Wednesday, in a separate incident as part of Operation Vala Umgodi, police in Lebowakgomo apprehended four male suspects for engaging in illegal mining activities and violation of immigration laws at Makurung village in the Capricorn District.

These arrested foreign nationals are aged between 22 and 35.

“Acting swiftly, the members of the SAPS Capricorn District Illicit Mining Task Team conducted a targeted operation on Wednesday at approximately 20:30 in the Lebowakgomo policing area, leading to the discovery of an illegal mining site in Makurung village.

“Upon approaching the scene, the police noticed an idling power generator. As they moved closer to the site, they discovered the four male suspects actively engaged in illegal mining. The suspects attempted to flee, but were successfully apprehended,” said the police in a statement.

They added the police seized various mining equipment utilised in the illicit activities, including three shovels, two electrical cables, two fans, a spade, a rake, a pick, a container containing chrome, a jackhammer, a generator, a drill point and two cellphones.

Another illegal mining site

In a separate incident, the SAPS Vhembe District Illicit Mining Task Team successfully recovered abandoned mining equipment at an illegal mining site in the Muchipisi village, outside Malamulele.

The recovered items included three picks, three spades, a hammer, two headlamps, two cellphones and a 10kg bag filled with precious stones.

“Upon realising that the police had arrived at the scene, the suspected illegal miners swiftly fled in various directions, managing to evade arrest and leaving their equipment behind.

“The team confiscated the items and continued with their efforts to disrupt illegal mining activities through a series of crime prevention techniques, including foot patrols, vehicle checkpoints and stop-and-search operations,” police said.

During the course of Operation Vala Umgodi in Malamulele, a total of 30 vehicles and 122 individuals were subjected to thorough searches.

The police said they would remain vigilant in pursuing the individuals involved in illegal mining and those who fled from the scene to avoid arrest.

“This ongoing endeavor underscores the commitment of the police in combating illicit activities and upholding the rule of law in the province.” – SAnews.gov.za