Latest news with #ZephMkhwanazi
eNCA
3 days ago
- eNCA
More arrests made in Barberton
BARBERTON - As groups of the illegal miners apprehended in Barberton appear in court, more continue to surface from Sheba mine. On Thursday evening, law enforcement indicated that about twenty more zama zamas are believed to be emerging to the surface. Mpumalanga's acting police commissioner, Zeph Mkhwanazi, has assured the public that the situation is 'under control' following a massive raid on illegal miners. Over 550 Zama Zamas have been arrested at the Sheba mine as part of Operation Vala uMgodi. Mkhwanazi says that police have sufficient capacity to house all the suspects. They have been split up and spread across various facilities. Mpumalanga community safety MEC, Jackie Macie, says they're working closely with intelligence agencies to track where the gold is taken once it has been mined by zama zamas.
The South African
20-07-2025
- The South African
Zimbabwean national arrested for illegal possession of medication
Police in Barberton, Mpumalanga, arrested a 32-year-old Zimbabwean national on Friday, 18 July, during a coordinated sting operation targeting criminal networks. The Zimbabwean national suspect was found in possession of explosives, gold-bearing rocks, and a large quantity of cough medication. The operation began around 5:00 and was carried out by a joint team comprising the Mpumalanga Organised Crime Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, White River K9 Unit, and Hi-Tech Security Company. Furthermore, officers acted on reliable intelligence indicating illegal drug activity at the suspect's residence. The team then thoroughly searched, uncovering 89 electronic detonators, 49 superpower blasting cartridges, a six-metre detonating cord, four safety fuses, and nine boxes of cough medication. Authorities also discovered gold-bearing material and two portable scales, raising suspicions that the Zimbabwean national suspect may have been supplying resources to illegal mining operations in the area. Police subsequently charged him with unlawful possession of explosives, illegal possession of gold-bearing material, and illegal possession of medication. The Zimbabwean national suspect will appear in the Barberton Magistrate's Court on Monday, 21 July. In response to public criticism of law enforcement efforts in the area, police leadership emphasised their commitment to tackling crime. 'This operation underscores our commitment to combating criminal activities and ensuring the safety of our communities,' said Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi. '[The] Barberton area has been our concern, and we made a promise to deal with the situation. So far, our continuous operations are yielding positive results,' Mkhwanazi added. He encouraged community members to remain alert and report suspicious activities. 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.
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- The Citizen
Barberton police arrest man tied to suspected illegal mining operations
During a sting operation conducted in Barberton on Friday, July 18, a Zimbabwean national (32) was arrested in possession of explosives and medication, which were seized. A media statement issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga stated that, despite negative narratives suggesting police in Barberton are reluctant to address crime, continuous operations show the clear determination of Mpumalanga's men and women in blue to eradicate criminal activity in the area. ALSO READ: Two arrested with gold-bearing material According to the statement, the operation that led to the arrest was jointly executed by several specialised units, including Mpumalanga Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team, the White River K9 Unit and Hi-Tech Security. Acting on reliable intelligence about individuals engaged in illegal drug activities, police obtained a search warrant and commenced the operation at approximately 05:00. While searching the premises, the team received further details indicating that a man residing there was allegedly involved in the illegal sale of explosives. Police apprehended the suspect and recovered several illegal items, including 89 electronic detonators, 49 Superpower blasting cartridges, six metres of detonating cord, four safety fuses, about nine boxes of cough medication, gold-bearing material (ore) and two portable scales. The suspect was charged with illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of gold-bearing material and illegal possession of medication. Preliminary investigations suggest that he may have been supplying these items to illegal mining operators in the area. He is expected to appear in the Barberton Magistrate's Court on Monday, July 21. The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the swift response. 'This operation underscores our commitment to combatting criminal activities and ensuring the safety of our communities. The Barberton area has been a concern and we made a promise to address the situation. So far, our continuous operations are yielding positive results. We will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle networks involved in that area. We urge people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, and we will swiftly act on such information without hesitation,' he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- The Citizen
Two arrested with gold-bearing material
Two suspects aged between 38 and 42 were arrested in the Barberton area on Thursday, July 17, during a Vala Umgodi operation. The suspects were apprehended by members of the National Roving and K9 Unit during a disruptive operation in the area. During the operation, illicit mining equipment was confiscated, including phendukas (a rotating drum used to crush mineral-bearing ore), wheelbarrows, steel balls, gold-bearing material and other equipment often used in illegal mining activities. ALSO READ: Police seek help identifying alleged poacher killed in KNP Investigators are working with officials of the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain the status of the arrested suspects. The two are expected to appear in the Barberton Magistrate's Court soon, facing charges relating to the contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, possession of gold processing equipment and possession of gold-bearing material. The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed his appreciation to the members for their relentless efforts in tackling illegal mining activities. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
20-07-2025
- The South African
Three arrested over ATM card scam in Mpumalanga
Police in Standerton, Mpumalanga, arrested three suspects aged between 33 and 47 on Friday, 18 July 2025, in connection with an ATM card scam. The arrests followed a chase on the R39 road between Morgenzon and Standerton. At around 12:30, a security company responded to a complaint about a card scam at an ATM at a local filling station. CCTV footage captured the suspects and their vehicle, prompting police to patrol the area. The suspects attempted to flee when spotted, but officers intercepted them swiftly. Police found several bank cards in possession of the suspects from Daveyton. Police confiscated the vehicle believed to have been used in the crime. The Standerton District Court will hear the case of the three men on Monday, 21 July 2025. Police are investigating whether the suspects are linked to other similar crimes. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, applauded both the police officers and the security company for their swift action and collaboration in apprehending the suspects. 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.
