By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 43 foreign nationals from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, were arrested at Klerksdorp Landfill Site during a cordon and search operation on 27 March 2024.
The suspects were arrested by a multi-disciplinary team comprising various South African Police Service (SAPS) units, including Vala Umgodi deployment group, South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Hawks, Department of Home Affairs, Matlosana Local Traffic and Harmony Gold Mine Security.
North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said: “This culminated in the arrest of 44 suspected undocumented foreign nationals. The police arrested 35 suspects from Lesotho, 5 from Zimbabwe, 3 from Mozambique and 1 from Malawi.
“Of the arrested suspects, two were held for unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of suspected stolen property, while the third one was held for unlawful possession of ammunition.”
Funani further said the police seized two firearms, 157 empty cartridges, ammunition, eight small rolls of copper cables, two cell phones, one Penduka machine and 16 040kg of gold bearing material with an estimated value of R240 000. She added that the arrested suspects are due to appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 2 April 2024.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked all role players for their collaborative efforts that led to the arrests and seizures.
TaungDailyNews 