Thirty-six people were arrested during SAPS’ Operation Vala Umgodi in Sabie and Low’s Creek in Mpumalanga on Saturday.

Lowvelder reports that police pounced on the Nkanini informal settlement in Simile near Sabie and arrested 23 suspects, aged between 18 and 47. Among them were 20 illegal immigrants who were charged accordingly. They also face charges of being in possession of gold-bearing material and illegal mining, along with the other three suspects.

Members of the Combat and Proactive Environment Unit and Phoenix Security were also involved in the operation.

“We were able to confiscate several items, including gas cylinders, some gold-bearing material and other illegal mining equipment,” says police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Nonyane.

She says the suspects are scheduled to appear in the Sabie Magistrate’s Court today.

Meanwhile, 13 other suspects were arrested at a stop-and-search operation along the R38 near Low’s Creek the same day.

They were all found to be illegal immigrants without legal documentation to be in the country, and they were charged with the contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

This group of suspects is scheduled to appear in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court today.

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