MBOMBELA -Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Jackie Macie, has welcomed the arrest of nine suspects believed to be involved in illegal mining activities in the Mashobodo area, outside Mbombela, on Saturday.
The suspects, who are foreign nationals, were apprehended during Operation Vala Umgodi – a multidisciplinary operation aimed at combating illegal mining.
They are facing charges relating to illegal mining activities and possession of gold-bearing material and are expected to appear before court soon.
MEC Macie commended the SAPS for the breakthrough and urged them to sustain the momentum to root out illegal mining which continues to plague areas such as Mashobodo, Pilgrim's Rest, Sabie, Graskop and Barberton.
"We welcome this development although a lot still needs to be done to wrestle closed mining shafts from zama-zamas who seem to be on the rise. We believe the arrest of the nine will lead police to more suspects," said Macie.
The MEC further called on all sectors of society, including the private security industry and mining houses, to work with law enforcement to make inroads in the fight against illegal mining.
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Issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety Security and Liaison