By REGINALD KANYANE
3 August 2025- In a continuous effort to eradicate illegal firearms, one of the three suspects arrested by Vala Umgodi teams is expected to make a second appearance before the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on 4 August 2025, after being arrested on 27 July 2025, for attempted murder, robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The accused, Ndumiso Sithole initially appeared in court on 28 July 2025. According to information, the Vala Umgodi members in Stilfontein, followed up on information regarding an attempted murder and robbery suspect who was allegedly spotted in Khuma Township, near Stilfontein.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspect was ultimately found in possession of a CZ pistol firearm and five rounds of ammunition. Mokgwabone said the firearm was linked to a business burglary committed in December 2023, in Klerksdorp, where more than a hundred firearms were stolen.
“In a separate arrest on 1 August 2025, the team operationalised information regarding a man who was in possession of a firearm, also in Khuma Township. During this operation, a Lesotho national (34), was found in possession of a 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition.
“He was immediately arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm was reported stolen in Welkom, Free State Province in November 2016. The suspect is facing an additional charge of contravention of section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the suspect is due to appear in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on 4 August 2025. He added that, in Skeerpoort, near Hartbeespoortdam, another Vala Umgodi team arrested a suspect for possession of a CZ 9mm pistol and two rounds of ammunition during a crime combating operation on 1 August 2025. He added that the suspect (29) is expected to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 4 August 2025, on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
“The police also confiscated a water pump, drill bits, a spade and four hammers,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, indicated that the arrests and recovery of illegal firearms in the possession of dangerous criminals, who continue to commit serious and violent crimes such as murders and aggravated robberies especially in the illegal mining space, is testament to the effectiveness of Operation Vala Umgodi in combating not only illegal mining, but also the threat posed by the proliferation of illegal firearms.
The Guardian 