Pretoria – The SA Police Service’s (SAPS) Vala Umgodi operations have led to the arrest of 369 crime suspects of different nationalities in the past week.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk on Wednesday, (23 April 2025), said the suspects were arrested for various crimes including illegal mining-related offences, murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives, and the possession of suspected stolen property.
Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk said the during SAPS Vala Umgodi operation in the Northern Cape, 21 unpolished diamonds were seized in Kleinsee on 15 April 2025 leading to the arrest of four suspects.
Within days, the team seized 39 more unpolished diamonds and arrested five suspects on the R355 en route to Port Nolloth on 21 April 2025.
Other items seized during the operations in the past week include:
- 5 unlicensed firearms;
- 34 rounds of ammunition;
- 15 vehicles that include sedans, bakkies, trucks, and trailers
Highlights of Vala Umgodi operation successes in the past week include:
- Free State: The VALA UMGODI team in the Free State arrested 14 undocumented persons during illicit mining disruptive policing actions around Allenridge Rock Dam, Meloding Calaria Location and Rathaba Hostel areas. This led them to seize more than 400 kilograms of gold bearing material and illicit gold processing equipment.
- Gauteng: On 19 April 2025 the team in Gauteng carried out an intelligence-driven operation at the N12 informal settlement, Crystal Park. The operation resulted in the arrest of 15 illegal miners and the recovery of various illegal mining equipment including phendukas and gas cylinders.
- Limpopo: Vala Umgodi operations conducted in the province, resulted in the apprehension of ten suspects for charges of illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act, on Friday, 18 April 2025. Two of these suspects were nabbed for illegal processing of precious minerals in the Giyani Policing area.
- Mpumalanga: A total of 27 suspects were apprehended in Barberton during a Vala Umgodi operation on 20 April 2025. Amongst these suspects, one was found in possession of explosives and another one was found in possession of ammunition.
- North West: Vala Umgodi operations in the North West, targeting illegal mining activities and other associated crimes, led to the arrest of 104 undocumented foreign nationals; a variety of illegal mining equipment was also seized. The suspects were nabbed between Thursday, (10 April 2025) to Tuesday, (16 April 2025) in the Bojanala sub-districts 1 and 2 (Brits and Rustenburg areas).
“While progress is being made, continued vigilance and action are necessary to completely disrupt illegal mining networks,” said Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk.
“Public cooperation is vital in this regard, and all South Africans are encouraged to report illegal mining activities.”
