Twelve suspects, aged between 18 and 37, remain in custody after being arrested in Witbank as part of Operation Vala Umgodi. They were charged with contravening the Immigration Act of South Africa and appeared in the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on April 8, 2025. The case has been postponed to April 15, 2025.

The arrested individuals have been identified as:

Ofonso Fenado (26)

Amando Mucombwe (31)

Isalas Simone (37)

Moises Antonio Sithole (22)

Amos Mutisi (19)

Mateus Muthi (20)

Manual Tivana (18)

Jose Joa (33)

Visco Meque (29)

Jossias Sibanda (22)

Joaquin Simango (18)

Samissore Ponte (24)

The arrests took place on Sunday, April 6, 2025, after proactive officers conducted stop-and-search operations at the Middleburg Toll Plaza. The suspects were found inside a minibus, prompting a search by the authorities.

Police investigators are collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs to verify the immigration status of the arrested individuals.

Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, commended the dedicated team involved in Operation Vala Umgodi for their ongoing efforts to tackle illegal immigration and associated crimes in the region.