Operation Vala Umgodi nabs 16 suspects for illegal mining

Operation Vala Umgodi in Limpopo has resulted in the arrest of 16 suspects aged between 19 and 65 for illegal mining and contravention of the immigration act in various Districts.

OPERATION VALA UMGODI ARRESTS 16 SUSPECTS

According to police, a 32-year-old suspect was arrested at Maake Policing area, in Mopani district after being found loading sand into a vehicle.

“He was found loading sand in a white UD truck, and upon approaching him, he failed to produce a mining permit,” said the police.

Police confiscated a truck, 2 shovels, and 1 pickaxe.

Three other suspects, aged 21 and 38, were also arrested in the Capricorn district for illegal sand mining at Tudumo River, in Mogodi Village.

During the search, police seized a truck and 7 shovels.

In the Waterberg district, while police were conducting an operation at Mahwelereng Tshamahansi village, they noticed a truck being loaded with sand.

When they approached the truck and asked for a mining permit, it was unavailable, leading to the arrest of a 65-year-old man.

Ten more suspects aged between 19 and 42 were arrested in the Sekhukhune district while one illegal immigrant was arrested at Maake Policing area.

Investigations are currently underway.

ANTI-GANG UNIT (AGU) ARRESTS SEVERAL SUSPECTS WITH ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES IN ELDORADO PARK

The Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) has arrested several suspects in a series of operations conducted on Friday, 2 May 2025 and on Saturday, 3 May 2025, in Eldorado Park, Freedom Park and surrounding areas in Gauteng.

During the operation, illegal substances including crystal meth and mandrax tablets were confiscated from the suspects.

One male suspect was found with five bags of crystal meth, three half mandrax tablets and 14 quarter mandrax tablets.

Another male suspect was found with four packets of crystal meth and one and a quarter of mandrax tablets.

Additional suspects were apprehended with illegal substances.

“AGU members discovered a male individual in possession of 12 ziplock bags of suspected crystal meth and four mandrax tablets. The operations extended to Eikenhof, where a further arrest was made. A male suspect was found with 26 bags of suspected crystal meth, eight mandrax tablets, and six packets of dagga,” said the police.

The suspects are in various police stations waiting to appear before their respective courts soon.

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