ELEVEN SUSPECTS NABBED FOR ILLEGAL MINING IN VHEMBE DISTRICT UNDER OPERATION VALA UMGODI, EXPECTED IN COURT.
POLOKWANE The area of Mutakari in Vhembe District, known for being problematic in terms of illegal mining of sand activities, was dealt a serious blow following the apprehension of eleven suspects by a strong team of law enforcement agencies on Friday 28 June 2024 .
The multidisciplinary team comprising members from various police units , SANDF and other role players under Operation Vala Umgodi received a tip-off about an illigal mining in progress and loading of sand in Matangari village under SAPS Mutale policing precinct.
The team operationalised the information and went to the crime scene. They found eleven suspects, aged between 18 and 54 who were busy mining the sand illegally and were put under arrest. The team confiscated three tipper trucks and six shovels
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe applauded the industrious work carried out by the teams involved in the arrest of the suspects” These illegal mining activities are destroying the economy of the province while also putting lives of the communities at risk” concluded General Hadebe.
The arrested suspects will appear before Thohoyandou Magistrate’s court on Monday 01 July 2024
