The Vala Umgodi Combat teams, working together with pro-active and mine security, have dealt a substantial blow to illegal mining operations and the fight against unlicensed firearms in recent operations across the Free State.
In the early hours of 1 July a vigilant Vala uMgodi Combat Team, acting on actionable intelligence, conducted a targeted raid at G Hostel in Thabong. During the operation, officers entered a two-roomed unit where they discovered two suspects asleep. A search of their bed uncovered a revolver.
In an adjacent room, three additional males were surprised by the team, and a British .303 rifle was found concealed under a pillow. All five suspects, aged between 27 and 29, were immediately arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Later, during a routine patrol, members with the assistance of the drone team, apprehended a 26-year-old male actively engaged in an illicit mining operation near his room. He was arrested after gold-bearing material was found in his possession.
These individual arrests are part of a broader, more comprehensive series of interventions by Operation Vala uMgodi teams. In a testament to their effectiveness, a remarkable 87 illegal foreign nationals have been successfully apprehended in recent operations. These individuals were directly involved in illicit mining activities across key mining towns including Welkom, Virginia, Vierfontein, and Theunissen.
The suspects face a range of charges, including contravention of the Immigration Act, trespassing, possession of suspected stolen goods, and illicit mining. These significant achievements are a direct result of the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team, which includes the proactive team working in close coordination with Combat teams and mine security personnel.
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