Police arrest 46 suspects during Vala Umgodi operations

Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner North West
 

POTCHEFSTROOM – The ongoing Vala Umgodi operations in the Bojanala Platinum District continues to achieve successes. This after members arrested 21 males and one female in Hartbeespoortdam and Mooinooi for contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act,2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) on Sunday morning, 23 March 2025. The accused are between the ages of 56 and 22.

Furthermore, a 35-year-old male was given a fine of R3000.00 for the contravention of section 38(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (employing undocumented foreigner).

All mentioned suspects appeared in the Brits Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, 25 March 2024. Consequently, the court imposed fines ranging from R1 500,00 to R2000,00, on 11 accused persons. The fines were suspended for between 60 days to 3 years. Three cases were postponed until 27 & 28 March 2025 and 1 April 2025 for an interpreter, whilst court outcomes on other cases are awaited.  During the operations, items such as phenduka’s and steel balls used for illegal mining activities, were seized.

In Sun City on Monday afternoon, 24 March 2025, another six males between the ages of 42 and 23 were arrested for contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).

In the policing precinct of Mogwase, 20 more individuals; two females and 18 males, aged between 19 and 46, were on Tuesday morning, 25 March 2025, arrested for being illegally in the country.  They will all appear before the Mankwe Magistrates’ Courts respectively.

The suspects are from different countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho and Ethiopia.

The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, once more commended the team members for their persistent efforts in the fight against illicit mining.      

Kindly find photos of seized equipment at Hartbeespoortdam. 

Ends

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Colonel Adéle Myburgh
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