Operation Vala Umgodi Nets 14 Suspects

Operation Vala Umgodi continues to yield positive results, and this time around, members received information which led them to the arrests of 14 suspects, aged between 24 and 40, at Sabie on Monday, 24 February 2025, for various offences, including unlawful possession of live ammunition, possession of illegal mining equipment, as well as contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.

According to a report, members were alerted about a white Toyota Quantum traveling in the direction of Sabie, heading towards Graskop, with suspected illegal miners. These men are suspected to be Lesotho nationals but without valid documentation. They further had illegal mining equipment in their possession.

It was during this time when the team swiftly followed the information and stopped a suspicious minibus, full of male occupants. While searching the vehicle, members learned that the 14 occupants had carried mining equipment and supplies inside. The astute members also discovered that amongst the men, one was in possession of some ammunition.

The suspects were detained and charged accordingly. They are expected to appear at the Sabie Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 26 February 2025.

Meanwhile, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has reiterated that Operation Vala Umgodi is here to stay and thus far, the achievements made are enormous.