ILLEGAL miners, drug dealers and traffic offenders felt the full force of Operation Vala Umgodi in the Northern Cape this past weekend, as multi-disciplinary police teams intensified their clampdown across the Frances Baard and Namakwa districts.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said a total of 19 suspects were arrested during the high-impact operations, which kicked off on Friday, March 14. The police targeted hot-spot areas near active and abandoned mines, uncovering a host of criminal activity ranging from illegal mining to drug trafficking and immigration violations.

In the Namakwa District, officers conducting surveillance in the Bontakoei and Koenignaas mining areas swooped in on six individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining activities. These suspects are also facing charges related to trespassing and immigration law violations.

In addition to the arrests, several motorists were fined for traffic violations and multiple firearms were inspected at roadblocks for legal compliance.

Meanwhile, in the Frances Baard District, authorities focused their efforts around the Ekapa Mine area in Kimberley. Raids conducted at several addresses in the area led to the arrest of 12 suspects found in possession of drugs and stolen property. Among the items recovered were cellphones worth over R11,000, believed to have been stolen during a vehicle break-in in Kelvin Street.

In a significant breakthrough, the Vala Umgodi investigation team linked an arrested suspect to a long-standing housebreaking case reported in Kagisho back in 2017 - underscoring the reach of the operation beyond just mining-related crimes.

Officers also seized a haul of mining tools, bags of gravel suspected to contain diamonds, and an assortment of drugs including dagga, mandrax and crystal meth, with an estimated street value exceeding R20,000.

All suspects are expected to appear soon in the Kimberley and Port Nolloth magistrate’s courts.

As Operation Vala Umgodi continues to zero in on criminal networks profiting from illegal mining and related activities, community members are urged to be vigilant - “If you see something, say something”. Residents can report illegal mining and suspicious activities to SAPS Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

- DFA

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