Diamonds, drugs, and dodgy liquor traders: Vala Umgodi nets multiple arrests
Several unlicensed liquor outlets were raided in the Jan Kempdorp area, with fines issued and alcohol confiscated.
Image: Supplied / SAPS
A TARGETED crime crackdown across the Frances Baard and Namakwa districts has resulted in the arrest of illegal miners, liquor traders, and drug suspects, as part of ongoing Vala Umgodi operations — a national effort targeting illegal mining and related criminal activity.
According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Merapelo Pilane, joint teams from SAPS, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and other specialised units conducted high-impact operations over the past week, targeting illegal mining hot spots in Kimberley, Holpan, and Koingnaas.
The weeklong blitz — running from June 30 to July 5 — combined foot and vehicle patrols with targeted compliance inspections at both legal and illegal mining sites.
But it wasn’t just about unearthing illicit digging.
While conducting disruptive operations in the area on July 3, officers noticed two suspicious vehicles pulled off the N12 near Warrenton. A closer inspection revealed four foreign nationals, aged between 23 and 33, who were in the country without valid documentation. All four were arrested for contravening immigration laws.
That same day, a tip-off led officers to several unlicensed liquor outlets operating in Masakeng, Jan Kempdorp. Raids at the premises resulted in the confiscation of alcohol and fines being issued to the illegal traders.
In the Namakwa District, a 39-year-old woman was “caught red-handed” in the Koingnaas mining area with what is believed to be an unpolished diamond in her possession. She now faces charges under diamond-related offences.
And back in Kimberley, a 25-year-old man found himself on the wrong side of the law on July 5 after being caught with suspected tik during routine patrols in Stockdale Street.
All the arrested individuals are expected to appear in court soon.
Sergeant Pilane highlighted that Operation Vala Umgodi continues to play a key role in tackling illegal mining and other criminal networks in the province.
The police have urged residents to report any suspicious activity via the MySAPS app or the Crime Stop hotline 08600 10111.