Operation Vala uMgodi team conducted various operational concepts as part of disruptive policing actions in Free State Province.
The team conducted bush patrols on foot with aerial drone observation in Kudu Old Mine area. Two (2) foreign nationals aged 33 and 51 were found busy digging for gold bearing material in an open pit. The police seized 59.40 kilograms of suspected gold bearing material. One other arrest was effected in the same area; another Mosotho aged 36 was found busy with a separation process on a makeshift slope table. Gold bearing material weighing at 24.82 kilograms was seized.
Two (2) other foreign nationals aged 36 and 42 were arrested at Merriespruit 03 Crusher Plant and Stilte Park in Meloding, respectively. The two were found busy with illegal mining activities on an open cast. Gold bearing material weighing at 56.80 kilograms was seized on one turn and 63.22 kilograms on another. A 39 year old male was also arrested near the railway line in Odendaalsrus in possession of 6.44 kilograms of suspected gold bearing material.
The last arrests were carried out in Bronville dumping site area and Rathaba Hostel in Thabong near Welkom. Two (2) suspects aged 26 and 30 were found busy processing gold bearing material at the Hostel and gold bearing material weighing at 18.20 kilograms was seized. Gold bearing material weighing at 52.21 kilograms was seized and 35 year old Mosotho was arrested at Bronville dumping site.
Gold processing equipment such as industrial oxygen cylinders, gas bottles, pick axes, shovels, garden spades, steel plates, burner pans, and self-made washers were confiscated during the operation. Case dockets of Possession of suspected gold bearing material; gold processing equipment, Trespassing on mine area and Contravention of Immigration Act were opened at Thabong, Virginia and Odendaalsrus Police Stations. All suspects will appear before Court soon