Picture: Suspects arrested for various crimes/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 71 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Vala Umgodi in Kimberley. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said, the police together with South African National Defence Force (SANDF), were conducting high density patrols in hotspot areas linked to illegal mining within the designated district of Frances Baard.
“In one of the hotspot areas, the alert operational members spotted a group of people busy digging on Karee Boom Farm, near Kimberley on 26 March 2024. The police discovered that the group did not have mining permits to operate on the farm and was not given access by the owner to dig.
“They were subsequently arrested for illegal mining and trespassing. Four women aged between 24 and 45 and 67 men aged between 20 and 63 were arrested. Numerous sieves, a blue VW Polo vehicle and a bicycle were confiscated,” he said.
Shemane further said the SAPS multi-disciplinary team, Operation Vala Umgodi, will continue to dismantle the actions and activities of illicit mining in Kimberley.
Meanwhile, the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, commended the law enforcement agencies in addressing illegal mining and related crimes. Ngubelanga added that the collaborative team will continue undoubtedly to disrupt illegal mining activities in the province.
TaungDailyNews 