The ongoing Vala Umgodi operations conducted on Sunday, 18 May 2025 in Waterberg and Vhembe Districts in Limpopo province led to the recovery of variety of items and the arrest of suspect for engaging in illegal mining activities.
The members in Waterberg district operated at Waterpoort Policing area and arrested a male suspect aged 35 at the identified mining site in Letoka Village. During the arrest, Police seized the white Ford truck, yellow front loader and shovels.
Meanwhile, in the Vhembe district, the members conducted an operation at Nesengani Tshifhefhe and Nesengani Ndiitwani Villages in the Vuwani Policing area, resulting in the recovery of variety of abandoned items such as wheelbarrows, spades, brick moulds, pickaxes, hand hoe, panga and petrol water pump.
“Illegal mining activities have a negative impact on the safety and health of surrounding communities. Moreover, it has a negative effect on the overall wellbeing of the environment. This illegal practice must be discouraged at all costs,” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
The Police investigations are continuing.
