Operation Vala Umgodi team arrests suspects in possession of gold bearing material and gold processing equipment

Police deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi continued to execute disruptive actions against illicit mining activities in Free State. The team swept through the bushes on foot in Target 2 Mine area with success. Two males aged 21 and 33 were found busy with illegal mining activities on open cast.

Gold bearing material weighing at 19.32 kilograms was seized by the police and the suspects arrested. A case docket for Possession of suspected gold bearing material with and additional charge of Contravention of Immigration Act was opened at Allenridge policesStation.

The operation continued in Thabong Extension 4; two other suspects aged 21 and 33 were arrested after being found busy processing gold inside a building referred to as the Kitchen in G-Hostel. Seven phendukas, four self-made stands, three hammers, stumpers, crew bar and a sieve were confiscated. Gold bearing material weighing at 153.94 kilograms was seized. A case of Possession of suspected gold bearing material; gold processing equipment with additional charge of Contravention of Immigration Act was opened at Thabong police station.

The collaboration between the South African Police Service and Private Security Companies at Kopanang Mine continues. An employee at the Mine was arrested in possession of gold bearing amalgam nugget. The Hostel unit where the employee stays was also searched and five cellular telephones were confiscated for the purpose of further investigation. A case docket of Conspiracy to commit crime; assisting illegal miners and Attempted theft of State minerals and precious metals was opened at Vierfontein Police Station.

All suspects will appear before Court soon.