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IN THE fight against illegal mining in the Northern Cape, the Operation Vala Umgodi multidisciplinary team, acting on intelligence-driven information, targeted operations on a mine located outside Windsorton.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the team had received information about illegal miners operating on privately-owned vacant land. Upon arrival at the identified mining area, the suspects scattered in various directions, attempting to evade arrest.
Despite the suspects’ efforts to escape, the police managed to apprehend three individuals. Among those arrested were two South African men, aged between 42 and 53, and a 28-year-old national from Lesotho. All three suspects were taken into custody on charges of illegal mining.
In the wake of the arrests, the police discovered equipment and mining implements at the site, believed to be used by the illegal miners.
The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, commended the members of the team for their continued efforts and unwavering commitment to combating illegal mining in the Frances Baard District.