| 2024/06/29 |
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Media Statement NELSPRUIT – Two suspects, aged 29 and 36, were arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi in Schoemanskloof outside Nelspruit on Friday, 28 June 2024. The two were nabbed for mining related offences and are charged for Contravention of the National Environmental Management Act. Their arrest was made during the time when the men and women in Blue, assigned to carry out duties in relation to Operation Vala Umgodi in Mpumalanga received a tip-off about certain illegal mining activities carried out by some people in the area. The information was then operationalized. During the operation, the two were caught with several items seized, which included 20 generators, five drill machines, a motor, a shovel and other items believed to be used for illegal mining activities. A silver-grey Ford Ranger bakkie was also confiscated. The suspects are expected to appear at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 01 July 2024, facing the said charges. Meanwhile the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has indicated that those who are busy with illegal mining activities should just give up before they are caught while the General further emphasized that the Operation will be continuous whereby more intensified activities will be carried out for the coming months. “The team will not retreat and one thing for sure is that Operation Vala Umgodi is here to stay. Those who think that the operation is meant for a short while, they are definitely mistaken because we intend to extend it for a longer period. So far we have seen that the operation is yielding positive results since it started and that’s enough encouragement to move forward,” said the General. Ends
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