Operation Vala Umgodi continues unabated in the Free State to bring more boots on the ground.
High police visibility and bush foot patrols were conducted in conjunction with members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Tactical Response Team (TRT), the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and Crime Intelligence to ensure safety in the mining areas.
On Saturday, 15 June, members of detective services organised a tracing operation in Theunissen. They arrested a 39-year-old suspect for possession of gold bearing material.
While members of Vala Umgodi were conducting a waylay for illicit mining in Sandriver Road, Harmony, Virginia, they arrested a 19-year-old man for illegal immigration.
On Sunday, the TRT followed up on intelligence-driven information regarding illicit mining activities at Kanana, Orkney.
Three foreign nationals were identified and arrested for possession of explosive devices (seven shock tube assemblies) and illegal immigration.
From Sunday to Monday seven stop-and-go searches were conducted, and 22 people, six vehicles, and two premises were searched.
There were also five bush foot patrols orchestrated. In addition, three shafts, one power station and two malls were visited. The teams also conducted three disruptive operations.
- On Thursday, it was reported that two men would each serve an effective 45-year jail sentence after three illegal miners (zama-zamas) lost their lives in 2020.
These convictions come as a result of the relentless efforts of Operation Knockout to curb illegal mining in Lejweleputswa.
Taelo Manuel Mmereko (39) and Koketso Azaih Futho (39) were charged with three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, and illegal immigration.
They had been sentenced on 10 June in the Odendaalsrus Regional Court.
