By Staff Reporter
MALAMULELE – In a significant operation on Monday, 02 December 2024, members of the Operation Vala Umgodi Task Team in the Vhembe District arrested a 54-year-old female illegal mining suspect along with six other undocumented foreign nationals, aged between 31 and 45, in the Malamulele policing area.
The operation was launched following a tip-off about the female suspect’s involvement in the processing of suspected precious metals in Dinga Village. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers conducted a search of an unoccupied house where the suspect was engaged in illegal mining activities. During the search, they confiscated a bucket containing precious minerals, two spades, and a hoe used in the mining process.
The operation extended to surrounding areas, where officers arrested six male undocumented foreign nationals at different locations. These individuals are believed to have been engaged in similar illegal mining activities in the region.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, praised the task team for their swift action and commitment to combating illegal mining in the province. She emphasized the importance of continuing these operations, especially during the festive season, when criminal activities tend to increase.
The arrested suspects are set to appear before the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 04 December 2024, facing charges of illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to clamp down on illegal mining, which has become a growing concern in Limpopo and other provinces, with devastating impacts on both the environment and local communities.
