Charges Dropped Against 55 Resurfaced Zama Zama, 9 Captured in Vala Umgodi

• Charges dropped against 55 illegal miners from Stilfontein Gold Mine in northwestern Klerksdorp
• The group is part of more than 1,000 Zama Zama that reemerged from a non-working well between October 18 and November 5.
• The four men arrested on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, appeared in the Mogwase Magistrates Court facing a number of charges.
• Police Spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone Briefly Briefed Operation Vala Umgodi launched in December 2023

RUSTENBURG — Police have arrested four persons, including an undocumented Zimbabwean citizen, on various charges during ongoing Vala Umgodi operations in the Bojanala Platinum District in the North West.

Police have intensified patrols in the area after 1,000 miners turned up at the closed Stilfontein Gold Mine near Klerksdorp.

‘Vala Umgodi’ caught 9 people, charges dropped against 55

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Charges rose from 269 to 439 on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Charges were withdrawn against 55 illegal miners arrested on Saturday, out of nearly 1,000 people who resurfaced at the Stilfontein Gold Mine between October 18 and November 5.

55 appeared court On November 6.

“Although the charges against them were withdrawn, they were detained by immigration authorities pending a deportation order,” Mokgwabone said.

Mokgwabone told News in brief It was stated that operations of other illegal miners continued after Vala Umgodi started operating in the Northwest in December 2023.

Meanwhile, the four suspects arrested on various charges on Tuesday appeared in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

The suspects, Jacob Kgaswane, 55, Freeman Mahembe, 47, Elvis Mogoe, 50, and Thabo Monyatse, 29, were detained after police stopped and searched their Nissan in a bakkie and found various suspicious items.

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State police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: News in brief At the time, police were patrolling the village of Tlhatlhaganyane, near Sun City in Rustenburg.

While searching the suspects and their vehicles, police found a backpack containing two firearms and ammunition, the official said.

“A subsequent search uncovered two bolt cutters, a breaking tool and hand gloves. When questioned, one of the suspects said the group had set out to rob businesses.

“A further search at (their) home in Bapong village uncovered suspected stolen goods, including five mobile phones, a replica firearm, gas bottles and a document containing details of a Pakistani foreign national.”

The four men, who are being held until Nov. 14 for legal representation, face charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of home burglary tools.

Mahembe will face an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act.

Mokgwabone said there were five other undocumented foreign nationals. Lesotho and Swaziland, people aged between 23 and 45 were arrested during Tuesday’s operation and five generators, crushers, hammers and other items were seized.

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Source: News in Brief