By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
More than 27 undocumented persons were arrested for illegal mining. The undocumented persons comprised of 12 Zimbabwean nationals aged between 28 and 50, 12 Lesotho nationals aged between 26 and 58 and 3 Mozambican nationals aged between 17 and 40.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the multi-disciplinary team of Operation Vala Umgodi in Kleinzee together with Namakwa District Visible Policing and Department of Home Affairs, raided several locations to address illicit mining activities and other related crimes on 10 June 2024.
Shemane further said the intelligence-driven operation was executed in the early hours of the morning targeting the identified hotspot areas in Kleinzee.
“The team seized five bags of possible diamond bearing gravel, tools and arrested a South African man (57) for illegal mining,” he said.
Shemane added that the arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
“The Operation Vala Umgodi team in Kleinzee in conjunction with external stakeholders, remain committed in the fight against illicit mining and other related crimes in the area,” said Shemane.
The Guardian 