By OBAKENG MAJE
An integrated Vala Umgodi operation conducted in Tlhatlaganyane village outside Rustenburg by various units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) as well as Department of Mineral Resources & Energy, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental and Rustenburg ER24, resulted in the arrest of 141 suspected undocumented foreigners, mainly from Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were allegedly arrested at an illegal mining site in Tlhatlaganyane village, outside Rustenburg. Mokgwabone said the police allegedly confiscated 59 x generators, 46 x jack hammers, five gas cylinders and 49 x wheel barrows.
“This includes 21 x shovels, 30 x spades, 13 x pickaxes, one fork spade, 27 x hammers, four saws, one roll of extension cord, three heater pumps, cylinder pipe, one tools box, three x 1 litre grease cleaners and two chisels.
“All suspects are expected to appear in the Mankwe Magistrate’s Court in Mogwase on 29 April 2024, facing charges of contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police for their commitment towards addressing illegal mining activities.
TaungDailyNews 