Mpumalanga: Operation Vala Umgodi, a sustained initiative to combat crime and illegal mining activities in Mpumalanga, continues to yield positive results. As a result, 16 suspects, aged between 18 and 50, were arrested by the members from Combat, Proactive, and SANDF as they conducted a disruptive operation at Sabie informational settlement and at Pilgrim’s Rest yesterday, Friday, 21 March 2025, around 04:00.
According to South African Police Service, the multidisciplinary team managed to apprehend 07 in Sabie and 09 in Pilgrim’s Rest, while two J534’s were issued for illicit liquor and illicit cigarettes.
The confiscated illicit liquor consisted of various brands to the value of about R1687, as well as illicit cigarettes to the value of about R690.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Sabie Magistrate’s Court and Pilgrim’s Rest Periodical Court respectively on Monday, 24 March 2025.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed the
arrest of the suspects and confiscation of the illicit items.