Operation Shanela has continued to yield positive outcomes in the province of Mpumalanga and has resulted in the arrest of 15 suspects on allegations of contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa as well as one South African citizen locked up for illegal possession of gold bearing soil. These suspects were nabbed at Sabie on Thursday, 14 December 2023.
During the operation suspects conducting illegal mining activities were arrested. Two females and 14 males between the ages of 18 and 50 were arrested and were not in possession of valid documentation to be in the country. Police are working in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs on this matter.