Disruptive actions against illicit mining activities conducted by Operation Vala uMgodi continue in Free State Province.
Five (5) African males were found either busy with open cast mining activities or busy with the separation process on a makeshift slope table in identified illicit mining hotspots. Joint Operational roleplayers and stakeholders conducted foot, vehicles and air-to-ground to ground drone patrols in Beatrix Mine Old Shaft 4, Phomolong Informal Settlement, and Moshoeshoe Drive in Thabong and seized gold bearing material weighing at 180.64 kilograms as well as gold processing equipment such as steel plates, stumpers and stumper pots, garden spades and shovels.
The foreign nationals aged between 27 and 35 were immediately placed under arrest and case dockets for Possession of suspected gold bearing material with additional charge of Contravention of Immigration Act were opened at Thabong, Theunissen and Welkom Police Stations.
Operational activities continued in other areas to address other factors contributing to illicit mining; Second-hand Goods Compliance inspection took place in both Odendaalsrus and Hennenman. Two (2) foreign nationals; 38 year old male at Bismillah Wholesale and Supermarket in Church Street Odendaalsrus, and 34 year old male at Hennenman Supermarket in Steyn Street were arrested for Possession of illicit cigarettes and Contravention of Medicines Act 101 of 1965, selling of scheduled substances.
The police confiscated different brands of cigarettes such as Chief, Remington Gold, Sahawi, Ossam, Cape and Stix with total sale estimated at R104 060.00. Medicines such as prohibited Betasol and boxes of Adco-dol pain killers, and various hubbly bubbly flavors with total sale price of R11 450.00 were also confiscated.
All arrested suspects will appear before Court soon.
