By BAKANG MOKOTO
28 May 2025- More than 39 undocumented persons were arrested at a construction site in De Beers and the Samaria informal illegal mining area during Operation Vala Umgodi. The suspects were undocumented foreigners of Mozambique and Lesotho nationals.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said five people were arrested for possession of drugs in Colville, Samaria Informal Settlement and Homelite. Kock said police followed up on the drug-related information and confiscated Tik, Khat and Mandrax worth more than R350 000 at the different locations.
“During random Vehicle Check Points conducted in the Greater Kimberley area, 25 traffic fines and J534s were issued amounting to R15 250, while 663 persons and 284 vehicles were stopped and searched.
“The arrested persons are between 18 and 46, and are expected to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court soon. Some of the undocumented foreign nationals will be deported back to their countries of origin soon,” he said.
Kock further said The Northern Cape SAPS remains relentless in its quest to eradicate drug dealing and address the ongoing illegal mining activities in the greater Kimberley area.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, together with the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Johnny Besnaar, supported by the Frances Baard District Commissioner, Provincial Heads and the Station Commander of Kimberley executed operations over two days at different locations in Kimberley. Otola said the disruptive actions commenced on 26 May 2026 and concluded on 27 May 2025.
“The objective of the operation was to dismantle the complex network of illegal mining by targeting its instruments and confiscating equipment used in illicit mining activities. Arresting and processing undocumented foreigners with those found guilty being deported back to their country of origin.
“The operations were executed involving various SAPS Provincial components, Frances Baard District personnel, specialised units, Kimberley and surrounding police stations within the district, officials from the Department Home Affairs, Traffic Department and the Vala Umgodi team currently deployed in the Frances Baard area,” she said.
Otola said the multi-disciplinary disciplinary high density operations were executed in two phases over two days, commencing on 26 May 2025 and concluding on 27 May 2025. She said the operation targeted the Samaria and Greenpoint Informal Settlements in the mining areas and construction sites, while several suspected drug houses in Beaconsfield, Colville, Newpark, the Central Business District (CBD) and Homelite were raided.
“This was the second operation focusing on the illicit mining activities and a continuation of last week’s operations in the Namakwa District. Operations of this nature will continue and the SAPS in conjunction with relevant stakeholders and communities will dismantle syndicates and or individuals who choose a life of crime.
“The SAPS will continue to enforce the law and stamp down the authority of the state to emphasise that South Africa is not a haven for criminals or organised crime. We commend all the role-players involved in the execution of the operations and appreciate their concerted efforts in restoring law and order,” said Otola.
The Guardian 