Operation Vala Umgodi leads to the arrest of nearly 2,000 suspects
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said it has yielded significant results in April as nearly 2,000 suspects were arrested nationwide during Operation Vala Umgodi.
The operations led to the arrest of a total of 1,857 suspects of different nationalities.
The police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, said the suspects were arrested for illegal mining-related offences and various other crimes such as murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives, and possession of counterfeit goods.
'More than 100 unpolished diamonds, which include suspected diamond stones, were seized during three separate Vala Umgodi operations in and around the areas of Kleinzee and Port Nolloth, Northern Cape, leading to the arrest of 15 illegal miners,' van Wyk said.
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