Operation "Vala Umgodi"

The enforcement operations conducted under the banner of "Vala Umgodi" have resulted in the apprehension of 12 individuals across three separate incidents. These arrests were made on grounds of possessing gold-bearing material and violating the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).

During the initial incident on Wednesday, 13 March 2024, in the early hours, law enforcement officers stopped a suspicious Toyota Quantum vehicle at a Meiringspark garage on the N12 road in Klerksdorp. Upon inspection, they discovered 61 bags containing gold-bearing material and detained nine individuals, eight of whom were suspected to be undocumented immigrants.

Consequently, eight suspects, aged between 20 and 42, were presented before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 15 March 2024, for charges related to possession of gold-bearing material and breaching immigration laws. They were detained pending their next court appearance on Thursday, 16 May 2024. Additionally, one of the suspects, a 14-year-old, was handled according to the Child Justice Act.

In the second incident, which occurred on the same day at around 18:00, police observed a man collecting soil into a bag near Shiba mine on the Klerksdorp/Orkney Road. Upon sighting the police, the individual attempted to flee but was apprehended. Jon Mateu Mhlanga (33) was arrested and subsequently appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to possession of gold-bearing material and contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002. He remains in custody until his next court appearance on Friday, 17 May 2024.

The third incident, also transpiring on Wednesday, 13 March at approximately 18:30, involved police discovering two suspects with 35kg bags containing gold-bearing material at the Ariston mine dump in Klerksdorp. The suspects were immediately arrested, and it was determined that they were in the country illegally. Remaketse Ntoa (36) and Maatekane Tsobo (24) appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on charges of possessing gold-bearing material and violating the Immigration Act, 2002. They have been remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Monday, 25 March 2024.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, praised the team for their dedication and collaboration, which led to the arrests and seizures. He emphasized that these actions serve as a deterrent, highlighting the police force's ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining activities.