By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 70 suspects were arrested at a farm in Kimberley during Operation Vala Umgodi on 26 March 2024. The police conducted intelligence-driven operations, where 71 suspects were arrested for illegal mining.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the police received a tip-off and operationalised it.

“They found tools and mining equipment being concealed under the grass on the farm by the suspected illegal miners. The intensive foot patrols by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), were conducted on the farm leading to the recovery of the hidden mining equipment.

“However, no arrests were made. The police recovered empty litre buckets, steel stands, wooden sieves, and shovels. The multi-disciplinary team will continue with the prevention and combating of crimes associated with illegal mining in identified hotspot areas,” he said.

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