| 2024/05/30 |
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Media Statement POLOKWANE – The Police in Limpopo continues to prevent and combat illicit mining activities through high-density Operation Vala Umgodi. This was evident when several suspects were apprehended over the weekend. The suspects were arrested for various offenses, ranging from mining of precious minerals without the mining rights, possession of prohibited firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of illicit drugs, theft of firearms and contravention of the Immigration Act. A 53-year-old male, Thomas Sibuyi has briefly appeared before Nkowa Nkowa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 28 May 2024, following his arrest at Letsitele outside Tzaneen in Mopani District for illegal mining. It is reported that the Multidisciplinary team comprising members of the SAPS and the SANDF have during their tour of Operation arrested a 53-year-old male while he was busy digging and packaging precious minerals at illegal mining illegal mining site. In addition two accused persons Bright Tombo and Pervival Chigagwa were remanded in custody when they appeared before Nkowa Nkowa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 28 May for illegal mining. Their cases were remanded to 5th June 2024 for formal bail application. Thomas was released on bail, and the case was postponed to 24 June 2024, awaiting investigation results. The team managed to confiscate the mining equipment that included shovels, spades, iron bars, and bags full of precious metals and a pocket scale at illegal mining sites. The Police have through intelligence driven operation arrested a foreign national 41-year-old male Danial Ibeto for possession of illicit drugs crystal meth, rock, and cocaine at his place of residence at Mokopane in Waterberg District .He appeared in court on Tuesday 28 May 2024 and the case was postponed to 31 May 2024 for formal bail application. In a separate incident, the Teams have arrested two male suspects aged 21 and 32 Fedrick Mala and Max Reynders for unlawful possession firearm with ammunition and theft of firearm respectively. It is reported that the duo were arrested in Mokopane, having been found in possession of a 9mm pistol that has a visible serial number with empty magazines and five live shotgun ammunition. Additionally, thirty-two foreign nationals were arrested in separate locations within the five districts including the Beitbridge Port of Entry. During the High Density Operation in the night of Saturday 25 May until the early hours of Sunday for contravention of the Immigration Act and the arrested individuals have appeared before various Magistrate’s Courts and as a result of the Court order they were deported back to their countries of origin by the Immigration Officers from Department of Home Affairs. Ends
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