LIMPOPO: Twenty-five individuals have been apprehended in Limpopo for a range of criminal activities, including illegal mining, as part of an ongoing operation by law enforcement. The arrests, executed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in collaboration with the South African National Defence Force, also targeted violations of the Immigration Act and drug-related offenses.
According to South African Government News Agency, the operation, known as Operation Vala Umgodi, took place over the weekend of December 28 and 29, 2024. It was designed to address illegal mining and its associated criminal activities, which have been contributing to instability in mining regions. The suspects were detained in various locations across Limpopo’s five districts for offenses ranging from illegal possession of narcotics to unlawful mining practices.
The authorities also detained several undocumented foreign nationals for contravening the Immigration Act. Seized during the operation were illicit drugs, including crystal meth, and mining tools such as shovels and spades. Specific arrests included eleven undocumented individuals in Mokopane, Waterberg District, five in Maake, Mopani District, and six in the Capricorn District.
In addition, the Sekhukhune District Task Team successfully traced and arrested a 34-year-old suspect for assault with grievous bodily harm in Groblersdal. In Marble Hall, two individuals were taken into custody for possession of suspected crystal meth and dagga, with one person found with R3000 in cash believed to be drug-related proceeds.
The apprehended individuals face charges under the Immigration Act, possession of illicit drugs, illegal mining, and other related offenses, as confirmed by the police.
In a parallel development, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) reported that several illegal miners, known as Zama Zamas, have voluntarily surfaced from abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein, North West. This development suggests that the miners have been able to sustain themselves underground longer than previously thought, as they had access to supplies until recently. The delayed emergence is thought to be an attempt to avoid arrest.
The government is addressing the root socio-economic causes of illegal mining, such as unemployment and lack of economic opportunity, as outlined in a statement from NATJOINTS.