In a significant development, the South African Police Service in Limpopo, in collaboration with Multidisciplinary Forces, have successfully apprehended a notorious illegal mining kingpin, a 49-year-old male suspect, for violating Section 24f(1) of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) Act 107 of 1998 and for the possession of suspected stolen precious metals.
A joint operation conducted by the SAPS Tactical Response Team, Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Public Order Policing, and Forensic Investigation Unit took place on Friday, 5 April 2024, at about 04:00 in Malamulele, Vhembe District. The operation was meticulously planned, based on intelligence gathered.
During the operation at around 04:30, law enforcement officers raided the suspect’s residence in Dinga village outside Malamulele, where the 49-year-old male suspect was apprehended. The suspect was found in possession of four jackhammers, two electrical motors, and four 12.5kg bags filled with precious metals, all discovered in a separate room on the premises.
Furthermore, as a result of intelligence indicating the presence of illegal immigrants in Muchipis village outside Malamulele, eight male foreign nationals, aged between 19 and 27, were also arrested. These individuals were found in possession of mining equipment, including three jackhammers, three head maglite, hand hoe, hummer, and spade, at a Lodge along Madonsi Road.
The eight foreign nationals arrested for contravention of immigration laws were referred to the Immigration Officers for processing and direct deportation back to their countries of origin.
Moreover, three separate illegal mining sites were discovered within Dinga and Madonsi villages outside Malamulele. Mining equipment, including six penducars, three electrical motors, pocket scale, and eight 12.5 kg bags filled with precious metals, were confiscated. However, the suspects managed to evade arrest by fleeing on foot upon the arrival of the police.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the apprehension of the illegal mining kingpin and praised the team members for their outstanding work.
Lieutenant General Hadebe stated, “We now see the light at the end of the tunnel, as since the inception of Operation Vala Umgodi, a significant decline in illegal mining cases in our province has been recorded. We deeply appreciate the community’s support in the ongoing fight against crime, and we still encourage our community to report illegal mining activities,if you see something, say something.”
Multidisciplinary forces successfully apprehend illegal mining kingpin in operation Vala Umgodi in Malamulele https://t.co/Yu9SBM8awz#ArriveAlive #Kingpin #IllegalMining @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/NmKSEq5eMT
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 6, 2024