| 2024/12/10 |
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Media Statement POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has praised the Operation Vala Umgodi multi-disciplinary Team for their exceptional work and dedication after the arrest of 164 suspects in operations conducted between 1 and 8 December 2024. Under the leadership of experienced senior officers, the task team intensified operations across the Province’s five Districts policing precincts, targeting illegal mining activities, which have become a major concern. The suspects were apprehended for various crimes, including illegal mining, possession of mining equipment, possession of illicit cigarettes, possession of unlicensed firearms, contravention of the immigration Act, possession of stolen property, carjacking, attempted murder, and drug dealing. In a significant breakthrough, the team, operating in the Mopani District on 8 December, found an illegal mining syndicate consisting of ten foreign nationals and South Africans, ages 23 to 58, in the Namakgale and Lulekani policing areas. This operation came after earlier apprehension of five key suspects on suspicion of engaging in illicit mining activities linked to both Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. The team acted on credible information and intercepted five suspects driving a white Toyota Corolla near a mining site in Ga-Makhushane village in the Lulekani policing area. During the search of the vehicle, police discovered spades, picks, a bottle containing mercury, and a firearm concealed in a bag. The five foreign nationals, ages 23 to 58, were arrested immediately. The operation then moved to Mashishimale village in Namakgale, where another group of five suspects, working with the initial group, was found processing precious minerals (gold-bearing material). Police seized mining equipment, including pendukas, drills, scales, generators, and other tools. The suspects were arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit illegal mining and possession of mining equipment. A few of the suspects have started appearing before various Magistrate’s Courts across the Province. Meanwhile, the ten arrested suspects are set to appear before the Namakgale and Lulekani Magistrate’s Court respectively, on Tuesday 10 December 2024. Ends
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