Latest news with #ValaUmgodi
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- The Citizen
Mass arrests as operation Vala Umgodi targets illegal mining
Vala Umgodi Operations led to three arrests of 1 857 suspects of different nationalities in April. 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, including suspected diamond stones, were seized during the three separate Vala Umgodi operations. ALSO READ: Over 455 suspects nabbed in multi-day crime crackdown across Joburg Other items seized include 27 unlicensed firearms, 385 rounds of ammunition, 71 vehicles (sedans, bakkies, trucks, mining machines, trailers, and tractors), 341 phendukas, and six phenduka stands. On April 21, an intelligence-driven operation in Primrose and Rietvlei resulted in the arrest of 10 illegal miners. A joint operation at Marathon/ Rasta informal settlement in Primrose led to the arrest of eight individuals who were found in possession of various equipment, including phendukas, steel balls, gas cylinders, and generators. Two of these suspects were also found in possession of unlicensed firearms and live ammunition. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- The Citizen
1 857 arrested in illegal mining crackdown
Vala Umgodi Operations led to three arrests of 1 857 suspects of different nationalities in April. 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, including suspected diamond stones, were seized during the three separate Vala Umgodi operations. Other items seized include 27 unlicensed firearms, 385 rounds of ammunition, 71 vehicles (sedans, bakkies, trucks, mining machines, trailers, and tractors), 341 phendukas, and six phenduka stands. On April 21, an intelligence-driven operation in Primrose and Rietvlei resulted in the arrest of 10 illegal miners. A joint operation at Marathon/ Rasta informal settlement in Primrose led to the arrest of eight individuals who were found in possession of various equipment, including phendukas, steel balls, gas cylinders, and generators. Two of these suspects were also found in possession of unlicensed firearms and live ammunition. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- The Citizen
R16m Gauteng gold bust: Pair arrested after tip-off
Authorities discovered gold bars in the suspects' possession, for which no documentation could be provided. Two suspects recently arrested in connection with stolen property — including unwrought gold valued at R16 million — will remain in custody following their court appearance on Thursday. They appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on the East Rand, where the case was postponed to 22 May for a formal bail application. Suspects apprehended on R21 Daniel Schubert, 61, and Adriaan Petrus du Plessis, 49, were arrested after Germiston-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation received information about a grey BMW vehicle travelling from the Free State with the aim of selling gold in Gauteng. Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said a multidisciplinary team comprising the Hawks and the South African Police Service Flying Squad in Gauteng pulled the car over on the R21 highway. Gold bars worth R16 million 'Upon searching both the vehicle and the occupants, the team discovered a bag containing 80x100g gold bars with an estimated value of R16 million,' Mogale said. ALSO READ: Nearly 2 000 arrested during nationwide Vala Umgodi operations in April 'The pair could not furnish the officers with documentation to be transporting such materials and were subsequently arrested for unlawful possession of unwrought gold and possession of suspected stolen property,' she added. 'No one is beyond the reach of the law' The provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, commended the team for their outstanding work. He said the Hawks remain steadfast in their mission to dismantle illegal mining and smuggling networks. 'Criminals must understand that no one is beyond the reach of the law. We will continue to use every available resource to combat these unlawful activities that exploit our country's precious metals for personal gain,' Kadwa said. NOW READ: Foreign national caught with over R1m in cash and bag of bank cards
IOL News
15-05-2025
- IOL News
Ongoing investigation into the tragic deaths of three Gauteng police officers
Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale says investigation is still underway into the deaths of the three officers that died while en route to deployment in Limpopo Image: Supplied Police Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale said the investigation into the vehicle that was involved in the accident that claimed the lives of three police officers that died en route to deployment in Limpopo was still under investigation. Responding to questions and answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Mathale said constables Linda Cebekhulu, Keamogetswe Buys and Boipelo Senoge were involved in an accident at the Hennops River in Centurion. 'The investigation around the vehicle has not been concluded. They are ongoing and as far as we are concerned, up to now, it is an accident,' he said. 'If there is any other matter associated with their death, I think, the further investigations will bring that but it is an accident as we speak. If you recall the day that this happened it was raining and we are convinced that indeed that played a role in that regard,' Mathale said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He also said the fallen constables were assigned work related to intelligence gathering in areas affected by illegal mining. Cebekhulu and Buys, from the Free State Crime Intelligence, were deployed in Limpopo's Waterberg District and Capricorn District to gather intelligence on illegal mining activities in support of Operation Vala Umgodi. 'At the time of their disappearance, both members were returning to their respective deployment areas following authorized rest leave and were traveling in a private vehicle,' Mathale said. Senoge was attached to Park Road police station and was also traveling to Limpopo during her rest period as a passenger in the same vehicle Cebekhulu and Buys were in. Mathale said all necessary steps are taken to ensure that the safety of officers involved in high risk operation such as Vala Umgodi was a priority. 'The issue of the safety of police officers is a priority for SAPS, and that's why in their training programmes, there is issue of survival and how to deal with situations that can arise in the course of their work.' He noted that officers leave their homes to go to work expecting to come back, but at the same time it was possible that they might not return to back home safely. 'Extensive training is done to them so that at all material times they are able to respond to situations that might arise without being fully warned about it in order to deal with that.' Mathale said SAPS has taken a decision that the issue of body-worn cameras must be implemented. 'Of course, there have been delays, but these are delays that we are dealing with as the leadership of the institution,' he said.
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- The Citizen
Nearly 2 000 arrested during nationwide Vala Umgodi operations in April
Police seized more than 100 unpolished diamonds during three separate operations. Police have made nearly 2 000 arrests in April, in an effort to curb illegal mining and related crimes. Picture: Supplied/Saps Police claim that 1 857 people were arrested across the country in April through Operation Vala Umgodi. The joint operation between the South African Police Service (Saps), South African National Defence Force, and other relevant departments targets illegal mining activities and other associated crimes. Suspects from across the country were arrested for illegal mining-related offences and other crimes such as murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives and possession of counterfeit goods. More than 100 unpolished diamonds More than 100 unpolished diamonds were seized during the operations. Picture: Supplied/Saps Saps spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said police also seized more than 100 unpolished diamonds during three separate operations in and around Kleinzee and Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. This seizure, which included suspected diamond stones, led to the arrest of 15 illegal miners. Other items that were seized during April's Vala Umgodi operations are 27 unlicensed firearms; 385 rounds of ammunition; 75 vehicles, including sedans, bakkies, trucks, big mining machineries, trailers and tractors; 341 phendukas (mining equipment) and six phenduka stands. ALSO READ: Stilfontein: North West police believe illegal mining kingpin 'Tiger' is not dead April highlights include Free State: Saps' bomb disposal and explosive experts, with support from a private security company, seized 290 detonators. These explosives were allegedly left abandoned by illegal miners at Kopanong mine. Gauteng: Police nabbed 10 illegal miners during an operation in Primrose and Rietvlei on 21 April. Eight suspects were arrested in Primrose during a joint operation in Marathon/Rasta informal settlement. The suspects were in possession of equipment such as phendukas, steel balls, gas cylinders and generators. Two of them were also found in possession of unlicensed firearms and live ammunition. KwaZulu-Natal: Five suspects, found in possession of R1.5 million worth of Eskom property, were arrested in the vicinity of Empangeni and Mtunzini policing precincts on 6 April. Limpopo: Police nabbed 69 illegal miners and undocumented foreign nationals in and around Sekhukhune, Vhembe, Mopani, and Capricorn Districts between 12 and 13 April. Various illegal mining equipment was also seized. Mpumalanga A total of 38 suspects were arrested on 6 April during an operation carried out in the Simile informal settlement in Sabie and the Skoonplaas informal settlement in Pilgrim's Rest. North West: On 23 and 24 April, police arrested 21 suspects in Witrandjue village near Sun City and Majakanebg village outside Brits for contravening the Immigration Act of 2002. The suspects appeared in the Brits and Mogwase Magistrate's Courts on 24 April. The Brits Magistrate's Court found three of them guilty and sentenced them to six months' imprisonment or a fine of R2 000 wholly suspended. The other 18 suspects remain in custody until their next individual court appearances. ALSO READ: Illegal mining: More than R30m spent on police operations at Stilfontein Operation Vala Umgodi progress 'Since its inception in December 2023, more than 20 000 suspects have been arrested while over 600 firearms, that include imitation firearms (toy guns), and 14 000 rounds of ammunition have been seized through Vala Umgodi operations,' Van Wyk said. 'Uncut diamonds worth more than R32 million are amongst various minerals recovered during these operations.'
