The multi-disciplinary forces through intelligence driven Operation Vala Umgodi have nabbed six male suspects aged between 24 and 36 on Friday, 12 April 2024, at Molati village outside Letsitele in Mopani District.
The Police arrested six suspects for unlawful possession of mining equipment, suspected to have been used for illegal mining activities in the bushes nearby Molati village. The suspects were charged for contravention of Immigration Act, illegal mining and possession of suspected stolen goods.
According to the information available at this stage, the multi-disciplinary forces operationalised information about illegal mining activities in Molati village and subsequently pounced on the four alleged illegal miners during the commission of illegal mining activities.
The team further, arrested two male foreign nationals, who were apprehended at a house, at Molati village after being found in the country without proper documentation as required by the Immigration Act.
In addition, a 36-year-old male amongst the six suspects was found to have violated parole conditions while conducting illegal mining activities at Molati village.
The Police further managed to confiscate mining equipment including shovels and spades at the illegal mining sites.
The foreign nationals male arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act are expected to be processed by Immigration Officers from the Department of Home Affairs for a direct deportation back to their countries of origin.
The suspects are expected to appear before Nkowa Nkowa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 April 2024, facing a variety of charges ranging from illegal mining, possession of suspected stolen goods and contravention of Immigration Act.
Intelligence driven high-density Operation Vala Umgodi clamps down on illegal miners in Mopani District, illegal mining equipment seized https://t.co/aXFdc8lZtj#ArriveAlive #IllegalMining @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/pUbmtpCQ4f
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 13, 2024