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A man in handcuffs.
More than 700 suspects have been arrested across the country during the police’s Vala Umgodi operation in the past two weeks.
Some were nabbed for illegal-mining-related crimes, murder, attempted murder and the possession of explosives and suspected stolen goods.
Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says various items were also seized during the operation.
He says, “171 of the 792 suspects were arrested for illegal-mining-related offences. Amongst some of the items seized during Vala uMgodi operations over the past two weeks included 17 unlicensed firearms, 128 rounds of ammunition, 25 vehicles that include sedans, bakkies, trucks and trailers and three excavators.”
#sapsHQ Nationwide, VALA UMGODI operations led to the arrest of 792 suspects of different nationalities between the period starting on Monday, 10 March 2025 ending on Sunday, 23 March 2025.
Hundred and seventy one of the 792 suspects were arrested for #IllegalMining related… pic.twitter.com/Fdk02Enc1J
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 26, 2025
