| 2024/03/22 |
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Media Statement
POLOKWANE – The Joint Multidisciplinary Forces comprises of the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and Department of Mineral Resources and Energy continues to stamp authority of the state in a disruptive approach to curb the scourge of illegal mining through Operation Vala Umgodi. The Roving Team deployment from the SAPS Mission Action Joint Operation Centre (MAJOC) have joined SAPS Mopani District in their tour of Operation from Wednesday 19 March 2024. According to the information eight foreign national male suspects aged between 23 and 50 years were arrested at Lulekani and Giyani policing precincts for illegal mining and contravention of immigration act on Thursday 20 March 2024. In addition, the Police have arrested three male suspects aged between 23 and 38 years on Thursday 20 March 2024 at about 06:20, along R37 road at Driekop in Sekhukhune District for possession of suspected stolen precious minerals loaded in a white tipper truck. It is reported that driver of the tipper truck together with his crew were also arrested for contravention of immigration act while transporting suspected stolen chrome. In a separate incident it is reported that members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) during the tour of the operation have arrested a male suspect for drunk and driving while he was driving a motor vehicle along R37 road at Driekop in Sekhukhune District on Thursday 20 March 2024 The Police have confiscated numerous mining equipment that were found being used in the commission of illegal mining that included a white man tipper truck with two trailers, shovels, spades, picks, hammers, bicycles and a bag full of precious metals. The Police have discovered abandoned mining stock piles in separate locations at illegal mining sites in Sekhukhune District. The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe hailed the various disciplines for the collaborative efforts that yielded remarkable successes
The suspects are expected to appear before various Magistrate’s Courts soon in the week.
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