By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 23 suspects have been arrested during the Vala Umgodi operation conducted in Rustenburg and Hartbeespoort Dam between Friday and Saturday. Out of 23 suspects, one was nabbed on Friday afternoon in Rustenburg for possession of explosives.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said other 22 suspects were arrested in Hartbeespoort Dam for Contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002). Mokgwabone said the suspects were foreign nationals from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.
“During the operations, the team that comprised of various units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Brits Immigration Officials, seized items found abandoned such as 3 supersonic generators, 20 generators, 15 extension cords, 11 jack hammers and 16 hammers.
“Among others were two pressure pumps, 16 phendukas, one phenduka stand, 65 chisels, 2 water pumps, one grinder, 4 grinder blades, 24 spades, 8 pickaxe with handles, 3 knives, 2 gas cylinders, one gas bottle, 28 pieces of steel chains and 1 hacksaw,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the suspects are expected to appear in the Rustenburg and Brits Magistrate’s Courts today, for Contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002.
The Guardian 