The ongoing fight against illegal mining activities in the Limpopo Province is yielding positive results.
This was evident in Vhembe District when five male suspects were apprehended for possession of suspected precious minerals at Mandonsi (Off Spring) mine under the Malamulele policing area on Saturday 13 July 2024.
The suspects, aged between 31 and 38, were nabbed during an intelligence driven operation that was executed by the Vhembe District Illicit Mining Task Team in collaboration with Polokwane Airwing and Vhembe Vala Umgodi Team between 09:00 until the evening at about 20:00.
The suspects were allegedly found busy processing plants of gold with different kinds of chemicals at the mine. They were instructed to produce an authentic permit to operate at the mine but failed to provide the documents and were immediately placed under an arrest.
During the arrest, police confiscated a silver grey Polo Vivo motor vehicle with Gauteng registration numbers together with the following items that were found at the premises in Madondzi village used in the commission of the crime:
– 1 x power generator.
– 2 x rakes.
– 6 x shovels.
– 3 × gloves.
– 3 x fastening belts.
– 1 x 20 Liter container containing petrol.
– 38 x bags of precious minerals stone.
– 1 x sealed bag containing suspected precious metals.
– 1 x sealed bag containing two bottles of chemical and precious mineral.
The five suspects, including a 38-year-old Zimbabwean national will appear before the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court soon facing a charge of possession of suspected precious minerals.
Police investigations are continuing.
Operation Vala Umgodi nabs five male suspects, illegal mining equipment confiscated https://t.co/eGbHybQncu#ArriveAlive #IllegalMining #Enforcement @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/KbGRxorB3B
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 15, 2024