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Limpopo police arrested seven male suspects aged between 22 and 42 years in Sekhukhune District during Operation Vala Umgodi on Monday.
The two male Mozambique nationals were arrested under Mecklenburg policing area for contravention of immigration act while the five Zimbabwean nationals male suspects were pounced while digging chrome underground in a yard in the middle of the night at Apel village.
In a separate incident, a 17-year-old male suspect Zimbabwean national was spotted in the act of digging gold underground at Muchipisi village outside Malamulele in Vhembe District.
The suspect is expected to appear before Malamulele Magistrate’s Court soon in the week facing charges of contravention of immigration act and of the precious metals act, as well as illicit mining.
The Police confiscated a number of mining equipment that were found being used in the commission of illicit mining, bags of precious metals as well as a cell phone.
A 45-year-old male accused Rebakeng Joseph Moloto who was arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition during Operation Vala Umgodi at Mecklenburg policing area was granted bail on Monday 29 January 2024 and the case was postponed to Wednesday 28 February 2024 for further investigations.
Meanwhile, other two male suspects have appeared before Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court on Monday 29 January 2024 and were released on bail and their cases of illicit mining of sand was postponed to Wednesday 28 February 2024 for further investigations.