Vala Umgodi operations are carried out by a multidisciplinary team from different police units to eradicate illegal mining.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane, the 17 suspects have all been charged with contravening the Immigration Act of South Africa, and one of the suspects has also been charged for the possession of gold-bearing materials.
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Abandoned mining equipment, which included gold bearing-material, shovels and picks, were found during the sting operation.
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Thirteen of the suspects are expected to appear in the Sabie magistrate’s court tomorrow, while the other four are expected to appear in the Pilgrim’s Rest periodical court on the same day.
