MULTIDISCIPLINARY VALA UMGODI OPERTIONS CONTINUES TO CURB THE SCOURGE OF ILLICIT MINING ACROSS LIMPOPO PROVINCE
POLOKWANE:The Police in Limpopo had on Thursday, 25 January 2024, pounced on twenty-four Foreign Nationals at various illegal mining sites believed to be illegally operating in illicit mining activities. They recovered three prohibited firearms with ammunition that were in possession of the miners as well as thousands of rands worth of illicit cigarettes.
A 45-year-old male suspect was found in possession of three different types of prohibited firearms with ammunition, while a 47-year-old female suspect was pounced for dealing in dagga and illicit cigarettes within Mecklenburg policing area in Sekhukhune District during the Vala Umgodi Operations.
In Mopani District, at Lulekani policing area, a 49-year-old male suspect who is a Mozambique National was arrested while digging precious metals underground at Selwane illegal mining site and mining equipments that included a pick and a shovel were confiscated.
Approximately, twenty four foreign nationals were arrested in Vhembe District for contravention of immigration act during the tour of Vala Umgodi Operations.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear before various District’s Courts in due course facing charges of illegal mining, possession of prohibited firearms with ammunition and dealing in dagga and illicit cigarettes as well as contravention of immigration act.
Police investigations along with Multidisciplinary Vala Umgodi Operations are continuing.
