KEY POINTS
- Six individuals received arrest in Mpumalanga while in possession of restricted mining explosives.
- The authorities confiscated three prohibited items from the suspects: blasting cartridges, detonating cords and a capped fuse.
- Law enforcement in Limpopo disclosed the presence of an unregistered gold-processing facility when they conducted additional arrests.
Police in Mpumalanga took six suspects into custody from Barberton during an illegal mining operation which unveiled concealed forbidden explosives in their vehicle.
A routine vehicle check led to the discovery of prohibited explosives
Mdubane Jabu Ndubane from Provincial Police reported that the arrests happened on the R38 Road as part of normal vehicle checkpoint acts.
During the search of the maroon vehicle carrying three occupants police discovered four superpower 90 blasting cartridges along with a capped fuse and nine meters of detonating cord which are believed to serve illegal mining purposes.
The suspects who lacked proper immigration documentation now receive dual charges from South Africa’s Immigration Act.
Police carried out extra arrests of three individuals who did not have proper immigration documents to stay in South Africa. The scheduled Barberton Magistrate’s Court appearance of all suspects will take place on February 12, 2025.
Police commitment to break down illegal mining syndicates is reinforced through Operation Vala Umgodi by Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, acting provincial police commissioner.
A bust of the same nature found an illegal gold processing operation in Limpopo
Four individuals including foreign nationals received arrests from police forces in Limpopo after uncovering an illegal gold-processing laboratory near Tarentaalrand Mopani District site.
The criminal operation resulted in the apprehension of three Zimbabwean nationals together with one Mozambican citizen.
– Jonh Vondo, 39
– Hardlife Manjoko, 35
– Biggie Chimwero, 36
– Samuel Almeida Mashaba, 46 (Mozambican, also charged under the Immigration Act)
Law enforcement agents recovered mineral extraction materials consisting of gas bottles together with sulfuric acid and oxygen cylinders throughout the raid.
Authorities impounded both a red Haval and a white Mercedes-Benz which they presumed belonged to important members of the criminal mining organization.
The suspects presented themselves at Ritavi Magistrate’s Court on February 10 before receiving custodial remand until February 18 to arrange bail procedures.
