Two suspects, identified as Brenden McDonald (29) and Fhunin Li (44) appeared at Belfast Magistrate’s Court today, 03 May 2024 after their arrest for alleged Contravention of National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) in Belfast on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.
Information provided by the Crime Intelligence structure led a multi-disciplinary team to execute an operation that yielded positive results.
A team comprised of members of the SAPS attached to Mpumalanga Operation Vala Umgodi, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Department of Agriculture Rural Development Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) as well as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The information was operationalized and during execution of the duties, it was established that the mine was operating without the DMRE permit and as a result, the two suspects who identified themselves as supervisors, were apprehended.
The duo were charged for conducting illegal mining activities and theft of granite.
During their arrest, a number of mining equipments, including a light delivery vehicle were confiscated for further investigation.
The two suspects were granted bail of R10 000 each during their court appearance.
Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing with a hope to locate the owners of the mining site.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest. The General further emphasized that Operation Vala Umgodi continues to bear fruits in battling illegal mining activities in the province.
Two suspects arrested on allegations of illegal mining https://t.co/sBXvxL9078#ArriveAlive #IllegalMining @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/mvZYPNd1Jv
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) May 4, 2024