Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk said suspects were apprehended for illegal mining and other crimes including murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives and possession of suspected stolen property.

“Amongst some of the items seized during Vala Umgodi operations in March include 29 unlicensed firearms; 246 rounds of ammunition; 57 vehicles that include sedans, bakkies, trucks, trailers, and excavators and 439 pendukas. Since the inception in December 2023, more than 20 000 suspects have been arrested, while over 600 firearms and 14 000 rounds of ammunition have been seized through Vala Umgodi operations,” van Wyk said.

Vala Umgodi highlights from March include the arrest of 55 suspects during an operation in Soul City informal settlement, Kagiso, in Gauteng. Illegal mining equipment that included 155 pendukas as well as an unlicensed firearm, and ammunition, was also seized.

In Mpumalanga, members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi acted on a tip-off and arrested a 49-year-old suspect for money laundering and bribery. The team seized cash amounting to R1.2 million as well as Mozambican notes, found hidden inside his home.

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The firearms and ammunition were seized in Operation Safer Festive Season/Vala Umgodi on Thursday 24 October.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the discovery was made following intelligence received about suspected illegal mining activities, thanks to members from the Lydenburg K9 Unit, in collaboration with Phoenix Security members.

The information indicated that suspected illegal miners were somehow involved in a gun battle in Sabie.

Upon receiving some details, law enforcement agencies swiftly coordinated a plan to decisively deal with the situation, the SAPS said. As the team approached the area, the group of about 20 suspected miners began to retreat, dropping the two firearms and a large quantity of ammunition, as they ran to avert arrest.

“It was during this time when the astute members confiscated the said items. An inquiry case has been opened and the suspects involved in the incident are still at large.

“The SAPS has since launched a manhunt to locate and bring these individuals to justice,” the SAPS said.

Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has reassured the public that the police, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, are committed to maintaining increased visibility in areas where illegal mining activities persist.

The General further emphasized that efforts to address illegal mining will continue until all illegal mining activities come to a halt.

“We… will continue with these operations and even exert more pressure while assessing our impact,” said Mkhwanazi.

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Several engagements were held between mining company security heads, both in Francis Baard and Namakwa districts, where they committed to join the multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi in the efforts to eradicate illegal mining, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.

In the Francis Baard District, Ekapa Mining outlined the relationship it has with the local Artisinal Mining Forum, Batho Pele, as well as identified demarcated mining land and areas where suspected illegal mining activities were taking place.

Two mining companies within the Namakwa district, namely Misvak and Alexcor Diamond Mining, accompanied the Operation Vala Umgodi team to identified mining sites.

The mining companies reported that they were greatly affected by the illegal mining activities and pledged their support to Operation Vala Umgodi in the two districts by sharing their intelligence collected information during the execution of operations.

The Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the mining community for strengthening partnerships with law enforcement and welcomed all efforts to fight illegal mining activities in the province.

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The team operating in the Namakwa District, detained 15 undocumented immigrants during vehicle checkpoints at the Port Nolloth/Kleinsee intersection and Bontakoe informal settlement.

The suspects were detained for processing and verification by the DHA Immigration Services officials, before being formally charged and presented in Court for deportation. In the Frances Baard District, an additional seven suspects were arrested for illegal mining, determined to be undocumented foreign nationals. These seven were then also detained for verification by the DHA Immigration Services Officials.

Numerous mining implements, suspected of being used in illegal mining activities, were confiscated during operations.

These efforts by law enforcement agencies and SANDF personnel assigned under Operation Vala Umgodi have continued to prove successful, the SAPS said, and follow on the previous arrest of nine suspects.

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This follows Operation Vala Umgodi operations that got underway on Saturday.

“The team in the Namakwa District pounced on the Bontekoe informal settlement mining area and arrested 27 Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals, aged between 20 and 49 years old, for illegal mining and contravention of the immigration statutes.”

The team was also alerted by mine security of intruders inside the Koingnaas mine premises where a 24-year-old Zimbabwean male who was found with unpolished diamonds in his possession, was arrested.

“In the Frances Baard District in Kimberley, the team arrested seven Malawian, Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals aged between 24 and 54 years old for contravention of the illicit mining and immigration statute. Several illegal mining implements were confiscated,” said the SAPS.

Three wanted suspects were also arrested.

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Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said seven gages, 11 gas cylinders, 17 crush pots and a cutting torch were seized.

“A multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi, consisting of various law enforcement agencies that include South African Police Service and South African National Defence Force, is continuing to yield positive results in Gauteng,” said Masondo.

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