By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Five undocumented foreign nationals, including three females, were arrested for illegal mining of presumed gold-bearing materials in the Mavalani area, Giyani, under the Mopani District in Limpopo.
These suspects are expected to appear before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court today, Friday 17 January 2025, to face charges of illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act.
The suspects were arrested following an intelligence-driven joint operation conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and Airwing (Drone Pilot).
They were found engaged in illegal mining activities at multiple sites, and upon noticing the presence of law enforcement, they attempted to flee into nearby bushes.
South African Police Service(SAPS) said that the drone has helped them to arrest the suspects.
“With the assistance of drone surveillance, law enforcement managed to apprehend two males, aged 31 and 44, and three females, aged between 24 and 42.”
The South African Police Service also said that “During the operation, nearly 1000 x 50kg bags containing sand suspected of containing gold bearing minerals were recovered and the seized equipment consisted of three picks, two spades, two plastic basins, four shovels, and five white buckets.”
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, has praised the arrests and applauded the joint efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating illegal mining in the province.
Illegal mining has been a major issue in South Africa for decades, with dozens of people risking their lives daily to enter disused mines and scrap for remnants of the precious metals