The South African Police Service in the Northern Cape through operation Vala Umgodi teams, deployed in the Francis Baard and Namakwa districts remains committed to eradicating all forms of criminality in the province.
The multi-disciplinary operations, were executed since Monday, 30 June 2025 until Saturday, 05 July 2025, embarking on compliance inspections at mining areas and conducting vehicle patrols at illegal mining hot-spots in Kimberley and Holpan.
The group were accompanied by an inspection team from the Department of Minerals, Resource and Energy.
On Thursday, 03 July 2025, while the proactive and combat teams were busy with disruptive actions, they spotted suspicious activity amongst two stationary vehicles on the N12 road near Warrenton.
The suspicious vehicles were approached and it was discovered that, four men aged between 23 and 33 years old were in the country illegally and were subsequently arrested and charged for Contravention of Immigration laws.
Additionally, members also followed up on information regarding several illegal liquor outlets in Masakeng in Jan Kempdorp, which led the members to the identified addresses where there was illegal trading in liquor.
The owners were issued with fines and the alcohol was confiscated.
Meanwhile in the Namakwa district, a 39-year-old female was arrested in the Koingnaas mining area, after she was found in possession of a suspected unpolished diamond and charged for possession of unpolished diamond.
On Saturday, 5 July 2025, while conducting disruptive actions in Stockdale Street in Kimberley, a 25 year old man was arrested after he was searched and found to be in possession of suspected Tik.
All arrested individuals are expected to appear in the respective Magistrates Courts soon.
Operation Vala Umgodi remains committed to its quest of dismantling illegal mining activities taking place and addressing criminality in the province.
SAPS encourages the community to report any suspicious criminal activities through the MySAPS App or 08600 10111 crime stop number.
