By REGINALD KANYANE
12 April 2025- Twenty seven suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Vala Umgodi. The suspects were nabbed by a multi-disciplinary team executed in the Northern Cape that include the Mission Area Joint Operations Centre (MAJOC) roving team, the Department of Home Affairs Immigrations Services and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The Northern Cape police spokesperson,Sergeant Timothy Sam said some of the suspects were arrested for contravention of the Illicit Mining and Immigration statutes, as well as other related crimes. Sam said the police’s weekly operations focused on tracing and searching illegal and undocumented immigrants that are suspected to be conducting illegal mining in the Northern Cape.
“The weekly disruptive activities included vehicle and foot patrols, stop and searches, vehicle check points as well as executing raids at identified addresses. The team in the Namakwa District, near Kleinsee, arrested suspects at Sandkop mine and Port Nolloth for illegal mining, trespassing, dealing in drugs, as well as the apprehension of two women for drug trafficking.
“The team in the Frances Baard District Kimberley, pounced on numerous undocumented suspects at construction sites and during stop and searches, that included jobseekers standing at street corners around Kimberley mining areas,” he said.
Sam further said several illegal mining implements, drugs and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime were confiscated. He added that, the undocumented suspects were processed and verified by the immigration officials before being formally charged and presented to court for deportation.
“The police in partnership with all stakeholders will tirelessly heighten efforts to eradicate illegal mining in the Northern Cape,” said Sam.
The Guardian 