IOL News reports that six people were arrested when North West police shut down an illegal mine near Brits as part of operation Vala Umgodi – a multi-disciplinary operation that was conducted in Hartbeespoortdam on 3 April.

The team comprised of SA Police Service (SAPS) units and SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members. North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, said the operation resulted in the arrest of an initial seven suspects and the confiscation of illegal mining equipment. He reported: “Four of the six suspects who are from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, were remanded in custody until April 23 and April 25, for plea when they appeared in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Friday. The fifth suspect from Mozambique, also appeared for contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002. She was remanded in custody until May 12. The sixth suspect who is a Mozambican, was issued with a fine for driving a motor vehicle without driver's licence.” The case against the seventh person was not enrolled. The Umgodi team seized 28 penduka machines, five gas cylinders, two cutting torches, a generator, six hammers, a water pump, 78 bags of gold bearing material, a jack hammer and numerous other commodities

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiwo Tunzi at IOL News

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