23-06-2025
239 arrested in nationwide crackdown on illegal mining
During the nationwide Vala Umgodi operations targeting illegal mining, 239 people of various nationalities were arrested between June 1 and 15.
They face charges of illegal mining-related offences and other crimes, including attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and unpolished diamonds, unlawful possession of explosives, contravening the Immigration Act and drug trafficking.
A 42-year-old man, Sydwell Shane Mkhantswa, was arrested and briefly appeared in the KwaMbonambi Periodical Court on June 17 in connection with the theft of minerals from Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).
ALSO READ: Mass arrests as operation Vala Umgodi targets illegal mining
His court appearance stems from a tracing operation in which Operation Vala Umgodi (OVU) members and the KwaMbonambi police intercepted a truck carrying suspected stolen zircon from RBM worth over R800 000.
Further investigation linked the man to another mineral theft case, in which he allegedly delivered stolen RBM minerals to Isipingo, Durban.
There, officers recovered minerals valued at over R24m. They arrested him on June 12 at a residence in Germiston, Gauteng.
In another operation on June 13, a wanted suspect was killed in a shootout with OVU members.
The SAPS sought him for allegedly firing at police officers in the Zamimpilo informal settlement and tracked him to the Soul City informal settlement.
ALSO READ: Man shot dead during shootout between police and illegal miners in Riverlea
There, they recovered a firearm, which will undergo ballistic testing to determine if it was used in other crimes.
Through co-ordinated operations across affected provinces, OVU continues to deliver on its mandate to disrupt and dismantle illegal mining in and around mining communities.
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