Northern Cape: The multi-disciplinary team executing Operation Vala Umgodi in the Northern Cape, which includes the Mission Area Joint Operations Centre (MAJOC) roving team, the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services, and the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), arrested twenty-seven suspects during operations that commenced on Sunday, 06 April 2025, for contravention of the Illicit Mining and Immigration statutes as well as other related crimes.
According to South African Police Service, the team’s weekly operations focused on tracing and searching illegal and undocumented immigrants suspected of conducting illegal mining in the Northern Cape. The weekly disruptive activities included vehicle and foot patrols, stop and searches, vehicle checkpoints, as well as executing raids at identified addresses.
The team in the Namakwa District near Kleinsee arrested suspects at Sandkop mine and Port Nolloth for illegal mining, trespassing, and dealing in drugs, as well as the apprehension of two females for drug trafficking. Meanwhile, the team in the Frances Baard District, Kimberley, targeted numerous undocumented suspects at construction sites and during stop and searches, which included jobseekers standing at street corners around Kimberley mining areas.
Several illegal mining implements, drugs, and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime were confiscated. The undocumented suspects were processed and verified by the immigration officials before being formally charged and presented to court for deportation. The police, in partnership with all stakeholders, will tirelessly heighten efforts to eradicate illegal mining in the Northern Cape.