By OBAKENG MAJE

A fight against illicit mining has been intensified in the Northern Cape. This come after South African Police Service (SAPS) in Northern Cape, has deployed a team that will focus on the intervention and stabilization of illicit mining under the auspices of Operation Vala Umgodi for a period of three months in the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts in the province .

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, has welcomed the decision. Shemane said: “Otola said the members from the Western Cape, Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and North West Provinces, will also join forces to address illicit mining activities.

“Lieutenant General Otola, accompanied by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga and the acting Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Jacques Raymond, led a parade to receive the new deployment of members from SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).”

He further said Otola outlined the complexity of illicit mining activities and associated crimes that require a fully integrated and coordinated response to prevent, mitigate attempts, disrupt, and stabilise incidents.

Shemane added that, in conclusion she urged members to execute their duties in a professional and safe manner,” he said.

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