Nine Mozambicans arrested in Mpumalanga illegal mining crackdown

Nine Mozambican nationals have been arrested in Mashobodo, Mpumalanga, during an operation targeting illegal mining in the area.

The arrests were made on Saturday as part of Operation Vala Umgodi, a multidisciplinary initiative led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to disrupt illegal mining and target those involved in unlawful mining activities.

The operation was conducted in the Ngodwana policing area, where police have intensified efforts to combat illegal mining and related crimes.

According to police, a multidisciplinary team acting on intelligence received information about a group of suspected illegal miners operating in Mashobodo.

Provincial spokesperson Donald Mdhluli said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal mining through intelligence-led policing.

"Our operations remain intelligence-driven and focused on disrupting illegal mining activities at their source," said Mdhluli.

During the operation, police recovered several items believed to be linked to illegal mining activities.

The items included pendukas, other mining implements, and chemicals suspected of having been used to process or refine gold-bearing material.

Following the arrests, SAPS is working with the Department of Home Affairs to verify the immigration status of the nine suspects.

Mdhluli said Home Affairs' involvement forms part of the investigation into whether the suspects are legally in South Africa.

"These operations are aimed at disrupting and destabilising illegal mining activities and ensuring that those involved are brought before the law," he said.

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