By Kopano Dibakwane

Four suspects aged between 25 and 44 were apprehended for their alleged involvement in illegal mining in Ermelo, during a police operation called Vala Umgodi on Tuesday night, 5 March.

The operation reportedly led to the confiscation of items which include a three ton truck loaded with coal, as front loader, a light delivery vehicle, a sedan and a 34-ton side tipper truck.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said that a number of people fled when police arrived on the scene, but the four suspects were unable to escape, thus they were cornered and apprehended.

“ A dedicated team of operation Vala Umgodi members reacted to intelligence-driven information. Out of the four suspects, two were found with a handgun with 25 rounds,” said Mdhluli.

The four suspects will reportedly appear at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Courton.