South Africa: Illegal Gold Mining Syndicate Comes to a Halt as Operation Vala Umgodi Fractures Spinal Cord

POLOKWANE’s Illegal Mining Task Team, comprising the National Response Unit, the Public Order Police Technical Response Team, the Organized Crime Investigation Unit and the Local Criminal Records Centre, are in a concerted effort to disrupt and end illegal mining activities in the state. A team from Capricorn District carried out an intelligence operation in Mathibela village at around 01:00 on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. The team followed information that led them to a location where they pounced on eight (08) unsuspecting suspects at a hostel in Mathibela village under SAPS Moletlane police station. All suspects, aged between 26 and 38, were found to be in possession of 14 metal detectors, 1 black digital scale, 5 mobile phones and 10 hoes thought to be used to dig precious metals. Reports suggest that the suspects were also in possession of an undisclosed amount of money.

5 high-performance vehicles were also seized during the operation.

Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe believes that with the arrest of suspects and seizure of illegal mining equipment, illegal mining activities were severely disrupted and activities were brought to an abrupt halt.

The suspects appeared before the Magatle Periodic Court on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 and are expected to appear in court again on Thursday, November 28, 2024 for further investigations.