Latest news with #OperationValaUmgodi
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
Ermelo police arrest undocumented immigrants during operation
ERMELO – Acting under Operation Vala Umgodi, the police arrested 10 people on May 24 for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa. According to Captain Mpho Nonyane, the provincial police spokesperson, officers from the combat and proactive team stopped these individuals during the operation. 'They were arrested because they could not show valid documents allowing them to be in South Africa. They have been charged under the country's Immigration Act,' said Nonyane. The 10 suspects appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate's Court on May 26. Acting provincial commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi welcomed the arrests, saying that law enforcement will continue its efforts to stop illegal mining activities. The general also assured the public that more successes are expected as this operation continues to grow in strength. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
21-05-2025
- The South African
Police apprehend 362 Zama zama nationwide
On 21 May 2025, the South African Police Service revealed that they had arrested 362 suspected Zama zama across the country, in the past week. The suspects were arrested during the nationwide Operation Vala Umgodi. During the nationwide operation, police seized four unlicensed firearms and 91 rounds of ammunition collectively. Police in KwaZulu- Natal also recovered vehicle parts that belong to a car that was reportedly hijacked near eMpangeni. 'These suspects were arrested for illegal mining related offences and various other crimes that include, among others; attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of drugs' said SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Amanda van Wyk. During the operation, police destroyed equipment they found at the various crime scenes. SAPS said they believe the equipment was used for illegal mining. According to van Wyk, the illegal mining equipment that was destroyed included phendukas [a cylindrical machine turned by hand and used to process gold ore], phenduka pots, gas bottles and generators. She said the items were seized from suspects in different parts of Ekurhuleni District. The police also seized 21 vehicles that include TLB's, trucks, bakkies and sedans in different parts of the country. An excavator was also found at one of the scenes and it was confiscated by the police. SAPS said they received a tip-off in the Northern Cape and were led to two suspects in Port Nolloth. The pair were found with unpolished diamonds in their possession. According to SAPS, in a separate incident, six suspects were arrested in the Free State after being caught partaking in illegal mining. van Wyk said an additional 12 suspects were arrested in Limpopo while another 15 alleged illegal miners were arrested in Baberton, Mpumalanga. Equipment seized during Operation Vala Umgodi. Picture supplied by SAPS 'Community members are reminded that illegal mining is a criminal activity that is a contravention of the country's laws and forms part of many other economic related crimes that are afflicting our society', van Wyk concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
Investigation uncovers child exploitation in South Africa's illegal mines
Representative image A recent BBC investigation has uncovered disturbing accounts of the exploitation of children within South Africa's illegal mining industry, where minors trafficked from neighbouring countries are subjected to forced labour and sexual abuse by criminal groups operating in defunct gold mines. The revelations surfaced recently following a police operation launched at an illegal mine near Stilfontein in December 2023. Authorities cordoned off the site, leading to the rescue of dozens of underground miners, including 31 children. All were reportedly undocumented migrants from Mozambique. According to South Africa's Department of Social Development, 27 of the children were repatriated in November. Survivors, aid workers, and researchers describe a pattern of abuse, with children often recruited under false pretences, stripped of their documents, and left vulnerable to exploitation underground. One of the survivors, Jonathan (name changed for safety), recounted spending six months in a closed mine, where he observed minors being mistreated. 'I used to see these kids in the mine- 15 or 17 years old,' he said, quoted by BBC. 'They were taken advantage of, and it wasn't safe for them." He said some minors, desperate for survival, accepted risky conditions in exchange for basic necessities. Other witnesses, including a miner interviewed under the alias Tshepo, confirmed similar experiences, stating that younger workers were particularly vulnerable due to their lack of power and protection. According to mining researcher Makhotla Sefuli, criminal groups deliberately target children due to their perceived compliance and lower cost. 'Their passports are taken away, and once they're inside the mine, it's almost impossible to leave,' he said. Aid organisations working with the rescued children report severe trauma. Gugu Xaba, CEO of Save the Children South Africa , said that many minors were manipulated and exposed to harm over extended periods. 'They were promised jobs but faced exploitation instead,' she said. 'Some witnessed or experienced incidents that deeply affected them.' The exposure of these abuses follows the launch of Operation Vala Umgodi ('seal the hole') in December 2023, a government initiative aimed at disrupting illegal mining operations, which are estimated to cost South Africa over $3.2 billion in lost revenue annually. During the Stilfontein operation, police restricted supplies to the underground miners in an attempt to force them out. The ensuing humanitarian crisis prompted court-ordered intervention after footage showed malnourished individuals pleading for assistance, according to BBC. Despite the scale of the problem, no formal charges have yet been announced related to abuse allegations.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- The Citizen
More alleged foreigners arrested over the weekend
More alleged foreigners arrested over the weekend The police arrested seven suspects during Operation Vala Umgodi for contravention of the Immigration Act. The suspects, aged between 19 and 42, were allegedly found in a Sprinter that was carrying passengers on May 18, when the team conducted a stop-and-search on the old Pretoria road. When they failed to produce valid documentation permitting them to be in South Africa, the police apprehended and charged them for breaching the immigration laws. The immigrants are expected to appear at the Witbank Magistrate's Court today. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- The Citizen
Vala Umgodi nabs seven for extortion
Seven suspects, who were arrested for two counts of extortion and attempted murder, were scheduled to appear in the Praktiseer Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, May 13. Mahlomola Mohlala (27), Vusimuzi Gale (32), Thabiso Mohlala (36), Lucky Nkosi (33), Mashoto Makofane (28), Phazy Lengwati (22) and Mogau Mamogale (36) first appeared in the same court on May 6 and were remanded in custody pending their bail application. ALSO READ: Operation Vala Umgodi nets 36 suspects in Sabie and Low's Creek According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo's police spokesperson, members of the Vala Umgodi Operation were dispatched to a mining site in Driekop on May 5, following an alleged extortion incident in which the suspects had barricaded the road with their vehicles and were demanding money from truck drivers before allowing them to pass. ALSO READ: Operation Vala Umgodi officers nab five Mozambican nationals in Pilgrim's Rest 'A complainant, who was a service provider at the mine, was also threatened by the suspects and ordered to give them money. Upon arrival at the scene, the police found the mine's trucks blocked and the group of suspects was spotted. They fired shots at the officers and police retaliated. One suspect was shot and seven others were arrested. Emergency medical services were called to the scene and the suspect was declared dead. His identity is currently being withheld pending further investigations,' added Ledwaba. During the arrest, the SAPS confiscated a firearm with four rounds of live ammunition and five cellphones. 'The suspects' vehicles were also confiscated as part of investigations,' he said. Ledwaba said another group of suspects committed a similar offence in the area in April. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
