Thirty undocumented persons and five alleged illegal sand miners were arrested in a South African Police Service (SAPS) operation in Limpopo at the weekend.
Operation Vala Umgodi led to arrests in the SAPS’ operation carried out in collaboration with the Tactical Joint Operational Command (TACJOC on Saturday.
“The five male individuals arrested for illegal sand mining were caught loading sand into their trucks in Rakgoadi policing precinct under Sekhukhune District. Four shovels were confiscated during the operation,” said the police.
The team conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Bergenek village, within the Westenburg policing area, resulting in the arrest of six undocumented foreign nationals aged between 18 and 37.
“These individuals were apprehended at various locations and are suspected of being involved in illegal mining activities. Simultaneously, a parallel operation in Vhembe District saw law enforcement officers executing disruptive operations at multiple illegal mining sites.
“The team traced undocumented foreign nationals suspected of involvement in illegal mining to Nancefield and Musina CBD [central business district] within the Musina policing precinct. A total of 17 undocumented foreign nationals, aged between 18 and 44, were arrested and charged under the Immigration Act. All 17 individuals face direct deportation in line with immigration laws,” explained the police.
The other seven undocumented foreign nationals aged between 24 and 40 were arrested in the Tzaneen, Mopani District. -SAnews.gov.za
