Police detain 19 suspects in crackdown on illegal mining
The operation targeted illegal and undocumented individuals involved in unlawful mining activities. Pictures: SAPS
LAW ENFORCEMENT actions under Operation Vala Umgodi, the multi-disciplinary initiative involving the SA Police Service (SAPS), the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services, led to the detention of 19 suspects in the Northern Cape this week.
The latest operation began on July 9 and targeted illegal and undocumented individuals involved in illegal mining activities in the Province.
According to provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam, the team in the Frances Baard District, while patrolling around the Greenpoint and Colville mining dumps in Kimberley, detained seven undocumented foreign nationals from Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia, as well as one South African citizen, all implicated in illegal mining activities.
Meanwhile, in the Namakwa District, a cordon and search operation in the Koingnaas mining area led to the detention of 11 individuals from Zimbabwe and Lesotho. These suspects were held for trespassing and contravening the Immigration Act.
All detainees are currently being processed and verified by immigration officials before facing formal charges and possible deportation.
Sam said that collaborative patrol operations will continue in hot-spot areas within the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts.
