By OBAKENG MAJE
The Northern Cape police said the high density Vala Umgodi operations will continue to focus on hotspot areas linked to illegal mining-related crimes in Kimberley and Kleinzee. The police said they will continue to intensify their efforts in addressing illegal mining activities.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the operations continue with more boots on the ground by increasing police visibility in an attempt to stabilise, normalise and reclaim the province from illicit mining activities.
He said the collaborative, multi-disciplinary, intelligence driven approach, involving the police, Home Affairs and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), conducted compliance inspections, way-lay operations, foot and vehicle patrols at mines, dumping sites.
“They also intensified police visibility at shopping malls, complexes and taxi ranks from 4 until 10 March 2024. During the operations, vehicle check points were conducted to address all illegal mining and related crime activities from entering or exiting the province.
“The police arrested suspects for crimes ranging from illegal mining, possession of drugs, dealing in illicit cigarettes and undocumented persons. Several fines were issued for contravening the road traffic act and forestry, fisheries and environmental acts,” said Shemane.
He further said the multi-disciplinary team confiscated two LDV bakkies, bags of possible diamond bearing gravel, mining operational equipment related tools, expired goods, illicit cigarettes, dagga and drugs.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the cooperation between the various law enforcement agencies in effectively addressing illegal mining activities.
The Guardian 