{"id":267494,"date":"2025-08-04T09:24:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T07:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?p=267494"},"modified":"2025-08-04T09:45:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T07:45:52","slug":"vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/","title":{"rendered":"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During intensified Vala Umgodi disruptive operations, 26 people were arrested for various offences, including contravention of the Immigration and Explosives Acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The operations, which commenced on 2 August, were intelligence-led and conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Bothaville, the focus of the operation was on contraband and illegal foreign nationals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through intelligence information and joint efforts with the Department of Home Affairs, 22 undocumented individuals aged between 20 and 38, including a 28-year-old female, were arrested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the suspects were found in possession of fraudulent immigration documents, whilst others had no documentation at all. They have all been charged with contravention of the Immigration Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A separate group of operatives was called to assist private security in Henneman. They apprehended four males aged between 38 and 52, who had resurfaced from a mine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Upon searching the suspects, members discovered various explosive pieces, including short starters, shock tubes, fuse heads, shock tube assemblies, and connector fuses,” says Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, Free State Provincial Corporate Communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Upon searching the suspects, members discovered various explosive pieces, including short starters, shock tubes, fuse heads, shock tube assemblies, and connector fuses” <\/p>Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, Free State Provincial Corporate Communication.<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The four suspects were arrested and charged with contravention of the Explosives Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“These arrests are a testament to the ongoing commitment to combating illegal activities and ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During operations in the preceding week, the multi-disciplinary team achieved significant successes in a series of disruptive actions targeting illegal mining, contravention of the Immigration Act, and dealing in counterfeit goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The operations, which included members of the SAPS Air Wing, private security, and various specialist units, took place in different parts of the Free State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a coordinated effort, the Vala Umgodi team, with aerial support from a police helicopter and drones, conducted disruptive actions at illegal mining hotspots in Odendaalsrus, Welkom, Theunissen, and Virginia. This led to arrests and seizures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday, 31 July, a proactive team and mine security, acting on intelligence, followed up information regarding illicit mining activities in the Phillip Area behind the local hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Upon arrival, two male suspects, aged 53 and 63, attempted to flee but were apprehended. A search of a nearby shack led to the discovery and confiscation of two gas cylinders, two buckets of gold-bearing material, two plastic bowls, and a rubber washer. Both suspects were arrested for possession of suspected gold-bearing material and for being illegal immigrants,” says Kareli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier in the week, in a separate incident in Odendaalsrus, two suspects were arrested at a house after being found in possession of gold-smelting equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday, 31 July, the Vala Umgodi Combat Team received intelligence about a male driving a Honda Amaze who was in possession of a suspected khat plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
The 40-year-old driver was arrested for possession of a suspected Khat plant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Two suspects, aged 41 and 35, were arrested.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Investigations revealed a full load of suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R500,000.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
The suspects offered police officers a bribe of R15,000 in exchange for their release.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Members tactically approached the vehicle at Klopper Park in Bedfordview, Germiston, and discovered six sealed brown boxes containing the suspected khat plant in the boot. The estimated street value of the confiscated plant is R45,000. The 40-year-old driver was immediately arrested for possession of a suspected khat plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, 30 July, Vala Umgodi operation members on a disruptive patrol in Wepener spotted a white Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel van travelling at high speed. The vehicle was intercepted, and a search revealed a full load of suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R500,000. Two suspects, aged 41 and 35, were immediately arrested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Upon their arrival at the Wepener police station, the suspects offered police officers a bribe of R15,000 in exchange for their release. The officers took the money, booked it as an exhibit, and a second charge of bribery was added,” says Kareli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, 29 July, the Proactive Team responded to a call from mine security. A 45-year-old mine employee was found in possession of contraband items\u2014half a packet of salt and pieces of biltong\u2014which contravene the mine’s safety policy protocol. The suspect was arrested for contravening the Mine Health and Safety Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The South African Police Service remains committed to disrupting all forms of criminal activity and encourages the public to report any suspicious behaviour,” says Kareli.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of the suspects were found in possession of fraudulent immigration documents. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":267506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"5","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"7970","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7970],"tags":[7911,91],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-267494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-crime","tag-top"],"yoast_head":"\nVala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs | Vista<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Some of the suspects were found in possession of fraudulent immigration documents.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Vista\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VistaNewsNuus\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-04T07:24:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-04T07:45:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crime.png?fit=1187%2C558&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1187\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"558\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Marti Will\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Marti Will\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Marti Will\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5fcff7984992abaf4b29a15603295956\"},\"headline\":\"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-04T07:24:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-04T07:45:52+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":734,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/Crime.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Crime\",\"Top\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/\",\"name\":\"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs | Vista\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/Crime.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-04T07:24:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-04T07:45:52+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/Crime.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/Crime.png\",\"width\":1187,\"height\":558,\"caption\":\"The Vala Umgodi team, with aerial support from a police chopper and drones, conducted disruptive actions at illegal mining hotspots in Odendaalsrus, Welkom, Theunissen and Virginia.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/\",\"name\":\"Vista News\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Vista News\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/vista-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/vista-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Vista News\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/VistaNewsNuus\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/vistanewspaper\"],\"description\":\"Vista is a regional newspaper based in Welkom, the capital of Matjhabeng Municipality, in the central Free State. Vista, an English\\\/Afrikaans publication, first brought news to the community on 23 April 1971, with the following message on the front page: \u201cWe are here to write about the Goldfield and its people. We are here to serve the area in which we find ourselves, and with the help of our readers \u2013 who refine us with their constructive criticism.\",\"email\":\"vistanews@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"+27573571304\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5fcff7984992abaf4b29a15603295956\",\"name\":\"Marti Will\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/8fc11fdeaed1ad25e241ff69e1251e7b5aaa716191f8e7160d3f8bd61e465cf2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/8fc11fdeaed1ad25e241ff69e1251e7b5aaa716191f8e7160d3f8bd61e465cf2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/8fc11fdeaed1ad25e241ff69e1251e7b5aaa716191f8e7160d3f8bd61e465cf2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Marti Will\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vistanews\\\/author\\\/marti-will\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs | Vista","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs","og_description":"Some of the suspects were found in possession of fraudulent immigration documents.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/","og_site_name":"Vista","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VistaNewsNuus","article_published_time":"2025-08-04T07:24:02+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-08-04T07:45:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1187,"height":558,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crime.png?fit=1187%2C558&ssl=1","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Marti Will","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Marti Will","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/"},"author":{"name":"Marti Will","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#\/schema\/person\/5fcff7984992abaf4b29a15603295956"},"headline":"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs","datePublished":"2025-08-04T07:24:02+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-04T07:45:52+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/"},"wordCount":734,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crime.png","keywords":["Crime","Top"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/","name":"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs | Vista","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crime.png","datePublished":"2025-08-04T07:24:02+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-04T07:45:52+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crime.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crime.png","width":1187,"height":558,"caption":"The Vala Umgodi team, with aerial support from a police chopper and drones, conducted disruptive actions at illegal mining hotspots in Odendaalsrus, Welkom, Theunissen and Virginia."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/vala-umgodi-operations-secure-34-arrests-and-r545000-contraband-and-drugs-seized\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Vala uMgodi hits a hard blow to contraband and drugs"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/","name":"Vista News","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#organization","name":"Vista News","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vista-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vista-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Vista News"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VistaNewsNuus","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/vistanewspaper"],"description":"Vista is a regional newspaper based in Welkom, the capital of Matjhabeng Municipality, in the central Free State. Vista, an English\/Afrikaans publication, first brought news to the community on 23 April 1971, with the following message on the front page: \u201cWe are here to write about the Goldfield and its people. We are here to serve the area in which we find ourselves, and with the help of our readers \u2013 who refine us with their constructive criticism.","email":"vistanews@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"+27573571304","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/#\/schema\/person\/5fcff7984992abaf4b29a15603295956","name":"Marti Will","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fc11fdeaed1ad25e241ff69e1251e7b5aaa716191f8e7160d3f8bd61e465cf2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fc11fdeaed1ad25e241ff69e1251e7b5aaa716191f8e7160d3f8bd61e465cf2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fc11fdeaed1ad25e241ff69e1251e7b5aaa716191f8e7160d3f8bd61e465cf2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Marti Will"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/author\/marti-will\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crime.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":264593,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/misdeeds-investigated\/","url_meta":{"origin":267494,"position":0},"title":"misdeeds investigated","author":"Vista","date":"26 June 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Vala uMgodi operation, aimed at combating illegal mining activities and associated crimes, took place outside of Theunissen on 18 June.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Five suspects were arrested in connection with illegal mining, immigration and contraband.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Police-2-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Police-2-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Police-2-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":78809,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/illicit-mining-pulled-apart\/","url_meta":{"origin":267494,"position":1},"title":"Illicit mining pulled apart","author":"Marti Will","date":"24 April 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Five suspects were arrested for illegal mining activities. The police confiscated four 19kg oxygen cylinders, three 9kg gas bottles, green-red-brown connector pipes, cutting torches and nozzles, steel plates, a galvanised steel drum, strainers and crucible pots.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/goldbead_13332.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/goldbead_13332.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/goldbead_13332.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/goldbead_13332.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/goldbead_13332.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":264528,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/operation-vala-umgodi-key-arrests-in-south-africas-underground-mining-case\/","url_meta":{"origin":267494,"position":2},"title":"Operation Vala uMgodi: Key arrests in South Africa’s underground mining case","author":"Marti Will","date":"26 June 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Five foreign nationals were arrested for illegal mining activities, found with illicit goods, and face multiple serious charges.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Five foreign nationals were arrested for illegal mining activities, found with illicit goods, and face multiple serious charges.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Police1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Police1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Police1-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":79190,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/confiscated\/","url_meta":{"origin":267494,"position":3},"title":"Confiscated","author":"Vista","date":"8 May 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Hard blow dealt toe businesses storing illegal goods In a significant breakthrough, six store managers were arrested by the Operation Vala uMgodi team during a second-hand goods compliance inspection in the Free State. They were arrested during an operation that was executed at trading areas in Koppie Alleen Road, Mooi\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/illegal4_79142.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/illegal4_79142.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/illegal4_79142.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/illegal4_79142.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/illegal4_79142.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Vista","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=267494"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267494\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/267506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=267494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=267494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=267494"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=267494"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=267494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}