In an ongoing crackdown on illicit mining activities, five men aged between 25 and 38 were arrested in the Northern Cape on Sunday, 20 July, as part of Operation Vala Umgodi.
According to Sergeant Merapelo Pilane of the South African Police Service in the Northern Cape, “The South African Police Service in the Northern Cape, through Operation Vala Umgodi, arrested five males aged between 25 and 38 years old for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities and the possession of unpolished diamonds.”
The arrests stem from two separate incidents. In the first, police teams deployed in the Namakwa District responded to intelligence concerning individuals believed to be in possession of unpolished diamonds in the Nuttabooi area.
“The information was operationalised, leading to the apprehension of the suspects,” said Pilane. A search yielded a quantity of unpolished diamonds, and four suspects were arrested and charged accordingly.
In a separate operation in the Kleinzee area, members of Operation Vala Umgodi, working in conjunction with a private mine security company, responded to reports of illegal mining at a local mine. There, a 38-year-old man was arrested after being found in possession of suspected diamond-bearing gravel, which was confiscated on the scene.
“All suspects are expected to appear in the Port Nolloth Magistrates Court soon. Investigations are ongoing,” Pilane confirmed.
She further emphasized the continued resolve of law enforcement to clamp down on illegal mining. “Vala Umgodi will continue to dismantle illegal mining operations and confiscate mining implements during these disruptive operations,” said Pilane.
The arrests mark a significant advance in the authorities’ effort to curb the illegal extraction and trade of precious minerals in the region.