Five foreign nationals arrested for contravention of Immigration Act

Five Mozambican nationals aged between 26 and 50 were arrested on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, at Columbia Hill located in Pilgrim’s Rest for Contravention of Immigration Act of South Africa.

Members deployment for Operation Vala Umgodi were following up on some information regarding alleged illegal miners at Pilgrim’s Rest. A disruptive operation was conducted at Colombia Hill where a large number of illegal miners were busy with illegal mining activities.

Police managed to arrest five undocumented persons after failing to produce documents to be in the country. 144 Phendukas and 22 Industrial Generators were recovered, although they couldn’t be brought down from steep mountain and the unfriendly terrain, the exhibits were then destroyed.

The suspects are expected to appear at Pilgrim’s Rest Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 30 January 2025, on the said charge.