Police Respond Swiftly to Armed Extortion at Limpopo Mine
Key Points:
- Police thwarted an armed extortion attempt at a Limpopo mine on May 6.
- Officers shot one suspect during a gunfight and arrested 12 others for extortion and immigration offenses.
- Operation Vala Umgodi continues to dismantle illegal mining operations in Limpopo.
LIMPOPO, South Africa — On May 6, South African police confronted a violent crime at a Limpopo mine. Officers shot and killed one suspect and arrested 12 others after an armed group attempted to extort service providers.
The suspects blocked 22 mine trucks and demanded money. They insisted that the vehicles could only proceed once payments were made. According to police, the men also threatened a contractor and ordered him to hand over earnings from his mining services.
Police spokesperson Col. Malesela Ledwaba said officers from Operation Vala Umgodi responded immediately to the Limpopo mine extortion attempt. He added, “The suspects noticed the police and fired shots in their direction. Officers returned fire and shot one of them.”
Police Shoot One Suspect, Recover Weapons
Emergency medical personnel arrived shortly after the shootout. They confirmed the 27-year-old suspect had died from his injuries. Authorities are withholding his identity until they notify his family.
Police also recovered evidence at the scene. They seized an unlicensed firearm loaded with four live rounds. In addition, officers confiscated five mobile phones believed to be linked to the extortion attempt.
Follow-Up Operation Yields More Arrests
Later that day, police extended the operation to Leeufontein Village in the Marble Hall policing area. There, they continued efforts to target illegal mining networks. Officers arrested seven more individuals, all foreign nationals aged 20 to 45, for violating immigration laws.
Ledwaba stated, “All 12 suspects will appear in court soon. Our investigations are still ongoing, and we expect additional arrests.”
Police confirmed the Limpopo mine extortion attempt forms part of a larger crackdown on illicit mining in the province. They pledged to continue pressuring criminal syndicates through Operation Vala Umgodi.
