Operation Vala Umgodi Operators unmask small gold buyer

Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State

BLOEMFONTEIN – Operation Vala uMgodi Combat team in Free State Province received a tip-off from a community member about the address where illicit mining activities were taking place. The operators reacted swiftly by following up on the information. The identified target unit in G-Hostel Thabong Extension 4 was searched, and 10 gold bearing amalgam nuggets were found inside a blue safe with a cash amount of R10 170.00 believed to be proceeds of gold trade.

The 47 year old male, who is also a foreign national and allegedly a known small gold buyer, was immediately placed under arrest. A case docket of Unlawful possession of gold; Sec 153(1)(a) was opened at Thabong Police Station. The gold nuggets were collected as evidence by Crime Scene Experts and booked in Evidence Management System together with the cash found in the safe. The suspect will appear in Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon.

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