Police arrest 38 suspects in three days during Vala Umgodi operations

Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner North West

POTCHEFSTROOM – The ongoing Vala Umgodi operations in the Bojanala Platinum sub-district 2 (Rustenburg) continues to achieve successes. This after members arrested 38 males in Sun City and Thlabane for various crimes, including the contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act,2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), possession of drugs and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Information received led the team firstly to Ledig at Sun City on Sunday morning, 06 April 2025, just after 10h00. The Team arrested 13 men between the ages of 18 to 43 and confiscated a generator, battery and jack hammer. Later the same afternoon, a 41-year-old Nigerian male was arrested by the team in the Rustenburg Central Business district (CBD) for being in possession of drugs and a second suspect from Lesotho, aged 25, was also arrested in the CBD for possession of drugs and unlawful possession of ammunition.

On Monday afternoon, 07 April 2025, the team arrested a further seven men between the ages of 22 and 42 in Ledig for being illegal immigrants. Police confiscated more generators, water pumps and batteries believed to be used in illegal mining activities.

Lastly, early on Tuesday morning, 08 April 2025, in Zinniaville in Tlhabane, 16 more men between the ages of 25 and 52 were arrested for the contravention of the Immigration Act.

All mentioned suspects will appear in the Thlabane and Mankwe Magistrates’ Courts, respectively. The suspects are from different countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, and Lesotho.

The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, indicated that the influx and continued arrests of most illegal immigrants involved in illegal mining are a cause for grave concern to the police. He said: “While these arrests by the Vala Umgodi team are welcomed, it is worrisome that the real masterminds, who are the real beneficiaries and funders of illegal migration and illegal mining are not being arrested. It is known that Zama Zamas are not the real problem and therefore, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Organised Crime and Intelligence Unit (OCIU), Border Management Authority (BMA), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Crime Intelligence (JOINTS) should intensify their operations if illegal mining is to be completely eradicated”.

Ends

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