By Kopano Dibakwane
Sixteen suspects were nabbed by members of the South African Police Service(SAPS), in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies within Ehlanzeni District, who embarked on a successful crime-fighting mission called Operation Shanela to root out illegal mining activities at Simile township in Sabie, under the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM), on Thursday 14 December.
This follows a multi-disciplinary operation conducted in the same area by SAPS, members of the SANDF(South African National Defence Force), CPF(Community Policing Forum), local private security companies and TCLM Law Enforcement, on Friday 08 December.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said 15 suspects were arrested on allegations of contravening the Immigration Act of South Africa while one South African citizen was arrested for illegal possession of gold-bearing soil.
” Two females and 14 males between the ages of 18 and 50 were cornered as activities of the operation were rolled out. Amongst the 15 that were not in possession of valid documentation to in the country, 4 originate from Malawi whilst 5 are from Mozambique, and 6 are from Zimbabwe,” said Brigadier Mohlala.
It was also reported that some of the confiscated items suspected to be in illegal mining activities include; two 50 kg bags with gold-bearing soil, two motors, two Phenduka’s, one soil detector, ten shizels, 25 dagga plants, one medium solar panel, two torch lights, one and a half welding electrode, a toy gun, as well as a holster, were also among the seized items.
According to Brigadier Mohlala, all suspects will appear before the Sabie Magistrate’s Court on Monday 18 December to face the said charges.
