Eleven suspects, aged between 17 and 35, were arrested at Slaaihoek near Machardodorp during a police stop-and-search operation on Tuesday, 9 September.

The arrests were made by members deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi, a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling illegal mining and related crimes. According to police, the suspects were found without valid documentation to be in the country and were charged with contravening the Immigration Act of South Africa.

An undisclosed amount of cash was also seized during the operation. The suspects are expected to appear before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court in the coming days.

Police detectives are working with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to confirm the immigration status of the arrested individuals.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the officers involved..