Police seize 36 phendukas during Operation Vala Umgodi in Sabie

The multi-disciplinary team comprising of different Police Units deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi has made a great impact today, Thursday 04 April 2024.

This time around, the team’s focus was at Sabie, where illegal mining activities are allegedly conducted.

Police directed their attention specifically at Sabie informal settlements which are said to be highly concentrated with suspected illegal miners’ equipment and shacks.

A total of 36 Phenduka’s, 8 gas bottles, 5 gas regulators, and a cutting torch were seized during this time.

Upon arrival of the men and women in Blue, scores of suspected illegal miners are said to have fled into the bushy river banks.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded members for their resilient actions in tackling the challenge of illegal mining at hand, hence the seizure of some equipments believed to have been used for illegal mining activities. “We will continue these disruptive activities until we put a complete end to illegal mining activities everywhere,” said the General.