10 illegal Foreign nationals nabbed for illegal mining
Two male suspects were arrested for illegal mining at the Mavalani illegal mining site outside Giyani in the Mopani District as part of Operation Vala Umgodi conducted by multi-disciplinary forces.
According to the information available, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tactical Response Team and Public Order Police unit carried out an operation on Saturday, April 20, 2024, and apprehended two male suspects, aged 28 and 47, while they were processing precious minerals at the Mavalani illegal mining site.
In addition, a 26-year-old male suspect was arrested for illegal sand mining at Mahwelereng outside Mokopane in the Waterberg District on the same day.
During the operation, police confiscated mining equipment used at the illegal mining sites, including tipper trucks, a TLB front loader, phendukas, welding machines, grinders, shovels and picks, and bags containing precious metals.
In the high-density operation conducted in the districts of Capricorn and Sekhukhune, a total of ten foreign nationals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.
The arrested foreign nationals were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for processing.
The suspects are expected to appear before various Magistrate’s Courts soon to face charges of illegal mining and contravention of immigration law.