The team members assigned for Operation Vala Umgodi in Mpumalanga, braved the cold weather conditions and proceeded to Pilgrims Rest, in the quest to clamp down on illegal mining activities on Sunday, 07 April 2024.
Apart from confiscating illegal mining equipment, members noticed a suspicious white Toyota Fortuner, which was stopped for verification. The vehicle was driven by a Mozambican National who claimed that the vehicle belongs to his brother, who was in Sabie.
The team proceeded to Sabie for further investigation and it was during this period when members discovered that the man’s story regarding the ownership of the car was not adding up.
On further inspection of the car, the astute members noticed that the car had a secret compartment underneath the steering wheel where a large sum of money was concealed.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the foreign national somehow obtained cash from allegedly trading in gold bearing materials hence he was apprehended.
Meanwhile the team managed to recover 30 Phendukas, 10 electric motors and four gas cylinders.
An undisclosed amount of cash as well as the vehicle and the rest of the items were seized as part of the investigation.
For now the male suspect is facing a charge of money laundering and he is expected to appear at the Sabie Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 09 April 2024.
The efforts by members of the team are making an enormous impact in tackling the challenge of illegal mining activities.
Suspect arrested and vehicle seized with a large amount of cash at Pilgrims Rest https://t.co/kpykjVOsKq#ArriveAlive #Cash #Crime @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/kk1lpnn33z
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 9, 2024