News: 792 Suspects arrested during nationwide Vala Umgodi operations over the past two weeks

Media Statement
South African Police Service (SAPS)

PRETORIA – Nationwide, VALA UMGODI operations led to the arrest of 792 suspects of different nationalities between the period starting on Monday, 10 March 2025 ending on Sunday, 23 March 2025.

Hundred and seventy one of the 792 suspects were arrested for illegal mining related offences while others were arrested for various crimes such as murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives and possession of suspected stolen property.

SAPS members deployed in the seven provinces as part of OPERATION VALA UMGODI also prevent and combat crimes which are not directly related to illicit mining activities.

Amongst some of the items seized during VALA UMGODI operations over the past two weeks included:

• 17 unlicensed firearms;
• 128 rounds of ammunition;
• 25 vehicles that include sedans, bakkies, trucks and trailers
• three excavators

Highlights of VALA UMGODI successes for the last two weeks include:

Free State: On Sunday, 16 March 2025, the Mission Area Joint Operational Centre (MAJOC) roving team, combat operators, proactive members and other role players of OPERATION VALA UMGODI in Free State executed various illicit mining disruptive policing actions in and around Thabong Extension 4. During the operation, twelve foreign nationals were found busy with illegal mining activities and arrested. Gold bearing material and gold processing equipment such as phendukas, steel balls, garden spades, shovels, pick axes, steel plates, buckets and washing basins were seized.

Gauteng: In an effort to deal decisively with illegal mining activities, Johannesburg District embarked on an operation to destruct confiscated tools of trade for illegal mining. On 13 March 2025, SAPS together with other law enforcement agencies destructed nearly 100 pieces of equipment, which included pendukas, stampers, spades, and steel balls.

KwaZulu-Natal: An intelligence-driven operation led members of OPERATION VALA UMGODI in KwaZulu-Natal to an identified address in Kwamlilo area, KwaDukuza Ilembe District. Three suspects were fatally wounded during shootout with police, while one managed to evade arrest. According to a preliminary report, the four suspects was planning an armed house robbery in the area.

Limpopo: Ongoing VALA UMGODI operations in Limpopo led members to arrest six suspects for cases of illegal mining, fraud, contravention of immigration laws and bribery on Monday, 17 March 2025 at Lulekani and Phalaborwa Policing Precincts, Mopani District. 

Mpumalanga: On 16 March 2025, members deployed for OPERATION VALA UMGODI acted on a tip-off and arrested a 49-year-old suspect for money laundering and bribery. The team seized cash amounting to R1.2 million as well as Mozambican notes, found hidden inside his home.

Still on Mpumalanga, Thirty-four illegal immigrants, aged between 20 and 77, were sentenced to three months imprisonment during their appearance at the Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court in Mpumalanga on Monday, 17 March 2025. After serving their sentence, these illegal miners will be deported back to their countries of origin.

Northern Cape: The Northern Cape multi-disciplinary teams executing OPERATION VALA UMGODI in the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts respectively, arrested 19 suspects for Contravention of Illicit Mining Act and numerous other crimes during operations that commenced on Friday, 14 March 2025.

North West: Disruptive VALA UMGODI operations conducted between Tuesday, 18 and Wednesday, 19 March 2025, culminated in the apprehension of 11 suspected undocumented foreign nationals. Nine of these arrests were effected in Ramochana near Boitekong and two in Tlhatlaganyane village in the policing area of Sun City, North West.

Since its inception in December 2023, OPERATION VALA UMGODI continues to make significant strides in dealing decisively with those involved in illicit mining activities across the country.

To date, more than 20 000 suspects have been arrested through OPERATION VALA UMGODI.

Ends

Enquiries:
Lt Col Amanda van Wyk
067 595 0163

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