Operation Vala Umgodi leads to the arrest of nearly 2,000 suspects
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said it has yielded significant results in April as nearly 2,000 suspects were arrested nationwide during Operation Vala Umgodi.
The operations led to the arrest of a total of 1,857 suspects of different nationalities.
The police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, said the suspects were arrested for illegal mining-related offences and various other crimes such as murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives, and possession of counterfeit goods.
“More than 100 unpolished diamonds, which include suspected diamond stones, were seized during three separate Vala Umgodi operations in and around the areas of Kleinzee and Port Nolloth, Northern Cape, leading to the arrest of 15 illegal miners,” van Wyk said.
Police confirmed it seized 27 unlicensed firearms, 385 rounds of ammunition, 71 vehicles that include sedans, bakkies, trucks, big mining machineries, trailers, and tractors, 341 phendukas, and six phenduka stands.
“During an operation in the Free State, the SAPS’ Bomb Disposal and Explosive Experts, with support from a private security company, seized 290 detonators. These explosives were allegedly left abandoned by illegal underground miners at the Kopanong mine,” van Wyk said.
In KwaZulu-Natal, an intelligence-driven operation by members who are deployed to Operation Vala Umgodi in the province led to the arrest of five suspects who were found in possession of R1.5 million worth of Eskom property in the vicinity of Empangeni and Mtunzini policing precincts on April 6, 2025.
In Limpopo, 69 illegal miners and undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in and around Sekhukhune, Vhembe, Mopani, and Capricorn Districts between Saturday, April 12, 2025, and Sunday, April 13, 2025.
“Since its inception in December 2023, more than 20,000 suspects have been arrested while over 600 firearms, including imitation firearms (toy guns), and 14,000 rounds of ammunition have been seized through Vala Umgodi operations. Uncut diamonds worth more than R32 million are amongst various minerals recovered during these operations,” van Wyk added.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL
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