A total of 28 live rounds of ammunition were found abandoned at Ducksgully illegal mining site in Pilgrims Rest in the early hours of Saturday 27 April 2024.
Thanks to dedicated members from Mpumalanga Operation Vala Umgodi as well as officials from the department of Home Affairs who braved the cold morning breeze in their efforts to fight illegal mining in the province.
During the operation that started at 03:00 am, suspected illegal miners somehow managed to evade arrest as the team stormed the illegal mining sites, however they left the live ammunition behind.
In addition, 34 phendukas, 45 dagga sachets, 29 bearings, eight fan belts, three electric motors, three gas cylinders, and two generators are believed to have been abandoned by the illegal miners.
Meanwhile 11 undocumented persons, aged between 18 and 35 were arrested during the operation. Amongst them, 10 are Mozambican nationals with one Zimbabwean national.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Pilgrims Rest Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 29 April 2024.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has praised the team for the continuous hard work which has so far worked on our favour as it appears to be disruptive for those involved in illegal mining activities.
A total of 28 live rounds of ammunition were found abandoned at Ducksgully illegal mining site in Pilgrims Rest https://t.co/W3yzpGZUSg#ArriveAlive #IllegalMining #TrioCrimes @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/HM8tx1QOCs
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 28, 2024