Operation Vala Umgodi detains 72 undocumented immigrants in Kimberley

Operation Vala Umgodi, the multi-disciplinary operation that includes the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services detained 72 undocumented immigrants in Kimberley on Sunday, 16 June 2024.

The focus of the operation was to trace and raid illegal and undocumented immigrants that are suspected to be conducting illegal mining around Samaria informal settlement in Kimberley.

The team’s actions and activities included visibility patrols, stop and searches and raids at specified addresses.

The 72 suspects arrested include Zimbabwean, Lesotho, Nigerians and others that will be processed and verified by the immigration officials before being formally charged and presented to Court for deportation.

The police through Operation Vala Umgodi remains committed to working with other stakeholders in addressing the scourge of illicit mining driven by undocumented and or illegal migrants.