The Northern Cape multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi team, tasked to combat illicit mining activities, executed actions from Saturday, 10 August 2024 in the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts. These actions resulted in the arrest of 21 suspects for contravention of the Illicit Mining and Immigration Statutes. Teams comprising of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services and Springbok Public Order Police, executed these disruptive activities in the Namakwa specifically in Bontakoe, Nattabooi, Koingnaas and Ottieskopie mining areas through initiating vehicle checkpoints (VCP's) and crime prevention patrols. Numerous mining implements believed to have been utilised in the commission of illegal mining activities were confiscated during operations and several offenders were fined for contravention of the Road Traffic Management Act. The undocumented suspects were detained in order to be processed and verified by the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services officials before being formally charged and presented to Court for deportation. If you see something, SAY something. Report illegal mining to the SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111.

Source : South African Police Service