By REGINALD KANYANE
The fight against the eradication of illegal mining compels the police through Operation Vala Umgodi to utilise all measures to fight the scourge. This comes after the multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi team arrested 20 suspects during the weekly operations that commenced on 13 July 2024.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police in the Frances Baard District, while patrolling the Conville and the Greenpoint mining dumps, arrested six persons for illicit mining and contravention of the Immigration Act. He said the police also traced and arrested one wanted suspect for house-breaking and theft.
“In Bontakoe Informal Settlement, Twee Pad and Koiingnas mining areas in the Namakwa District, the police executed cordon and search operations and detained 13 persons for illicit mining and contravention of the Immigration Act.
“The team confiscated numerous mining implements, including a vehicle utilised in the commission of crime. The suspects were detained in order to be processed and verified by the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services officials before being formally charged and presented to court for deportation,” said Sam.
He further said the police are pleading with the public to respect and conform to the prevailing mining laws and regulations, as it is illegal to be in possession of any unprocessed precious mineral, including diamond bearing gravel without the required statutory authorization.
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