By BAKANG MOKOTO
16 December 2024- More than 53 suspects aged between 16 and 55, were arrested for various crimes, which include illegal mining, undocumented persons, trespassing, possession of suspected diamond bearing material, possession of suspected drugs, dealing in drugs and riotous behaviour in Northern Cape. The police traced and arrested three wanted suspects for murder, housebreaking, and culpable homicide.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the police issued fines for traffic violation offences amounting to R18 000. Shemane said tools, equipment, drugs, and money believed to be the proceeds of crimes, were confiscated.
“This was done through multi-disciplinary weekly intelligence -driven operations, under the auspices of Operation Vala Umgodi, which include, the Department of Home Affairs and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
“The focus was on hotspot areas linked to illegal mining and related crimes. The suspects were arrested near informal settlements situated around mining areas of Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts,” he said.
Shemane further said the disruptive operations commenced on 9 until 15 December 2024. He added that actions executed by the combat, pro-active, and operational support teams included stop and search, vehicles and foot patrols, vehicle check points at primary and secondary routes around mining areas, and tracing of wanted suspects at informal settlements
“The overall commander of Operation Vala Umgodi in the Northern Cape, Colonel Kagisho Diamond, applauded the members from Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts for their commitment towards the fight against underground and surface illicit mining activities.
“Diamond also encouraged communities to report illegal mining to SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App,” said Shemane.
The Guardian 