The Northern Cape multi-disciplinary teams executing Operation Vala Umgodi in the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts respectively arrested 19 suspects for Contravention of Illicit Mining Act and numerous other crimes during operations that commenced on Friday, 14 March 2025.
The team in the Namakwa district while conducting visual observation duties around Bontakoei and Koeingnaas mining areas, arrested 6 suspects for illicit mining, trespassing and contravention of the immigration act.
The team also issued fines to motorists for various traffic violations and inspected numerous firearms for compliance during vehicle checkpoints, and stop and searches.
In the Frances Baard district, the team executed search warrants at numerous addresses around the Ekapa mine mining area and arrested 12 suspects for possession and dealing in drugs, and recovered 2 cellphones valued at more than R11 000 that were stolen out of a motor vehicle in Kelvin Street, Kimberley.
The Vala Umgodi police investigation team could also link an arrested suspect with a Kagisho house breaking and theft case reported in 2017.
Numerous mining implements, including spades, bags containing suspected diamond bearing gravel, drugs that includes mandrax, dagga and crystal meth valued at more than R20 000 was confiscated.
The suspects will appear in the Port Nolloth and Kimberley Magistrate Courts respectively soon.
If you See something, SAY something. Report illegal mining to the SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Multiple suspects arrested for various crimes during an operation in the Northern Cape https://t.co/XvkGNXWV08#ArriveAlive #TrioCrimes #Operation @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/04zC5jVxeW
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) March 20, 2025
