The intensive police campaign against illegal mining, Operation Vala uMgodi, is gaining momentum, with 28 men arrested on charges ranging from dealing in drugs, illegal firearms and ammunition, to illicit mining and illegal immigration during a three-day operation.
On Monday, 17 March, the operation’s combat team of operators, including the Mission Area Joint Operational Center (MAJOC) roving team, executed disruptive actions in Lusaka near Theunissen.
The police then arrested a 32-year-old man in possession of seven sealed plastic bags of crystal meth, three bags of full Mandrax tablets, one half and one-quarter Mandrax tablets, and cash believed to be the proceeds of a drugs sale. The man was arrested for dealing in drugs.
Illicit mining disruptive policing actions continued in Thabong Extension 4, G-Hostel. The police uncovered gold processing equipment hidden under the ground. Operators dug out two 9 kg gas bottles and two 14 kg oxygen cylinders. On Sunday, 16 March, the MAJOC team, combat operators, proactive members and other role players of Operation Vala uMgodi executed various illicit mining disruptive policing actions in different identified hotspot areas.
Foot and vehicle patrols, air-to-ground drone patrols, and vehicle checkpoints were conducted in the Stone and Allied area, Bambanani SS1 Slam Dam, Kudu Mine Shaft, Stilte Farm, and G-Hostel in Thabong Extension 4.
During the operation, 12 suspected illegal miners were caught in the act. Gold-bearing material weighing at 132.52 kg and gold processing equipment such as lephenduka, steel balls, garden spades, shovels, pick axes, steel plates, buckets and washing basins were seized.
The police also arrested suspects aged between 26 and 40 years, and case dockets of possession of suspected gold-bearing material, gold processing equipment with additional charges of trespassing on mine area and Contravention of the Immigration Act were opened at the Thabong, Theunissen and Welkom Police Stations.
On Friday, 14 March, the operational team received intelligence about a man known as “Max” who was allegedly in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
“The operators arrived at the identified target house in Meloding near Virginia, searched it and found a Black Norinco 9mm calibre together with a magazine loaded with six round of live ammunition. The 52-year-old man was immediately arrested, and a case of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition was opened at the Meloding Police Station,” says Lt Col. Thabo Covane, police spokesperson for the Free State.
Vigilant operators on Friday, 7 March, noticed bubbles coming from beneath stagnant sewerage water at G-Hostel. Upon investigation, they discovered new ways of hiding gold processing equipment. They discovered hose pipes submerged inside dirty water. Members started digging up the sewerage to investigate the source of the bubbles, says Covane.
During the digging they found two nozzles, four red and blue pipes, two green 9 kg gas bottles, and two black 14 kg oxygen gas cylinders.
Gold-bearing material weighing at 13.06 kg was found abandoned by fleeing perpetrators.
On the same day proactive operators conducted bush patrols at the old Beatrix Mine Old Shaft 4.
They intercepted ten undocumented persons from descending down the ventilation shaft.
