Police operating under Operation Vala Umgodi have arrested a 35-year-old Mozambican man and confiscated hundreds of rounds of ammunition during a targeted crackdown on illegal mining activities in the region.
The intervention began on 04 June 2026 with an intelligence-driven raid at Makheshe Mountain, located near the Agnes Mine. Upon the arrival of law enforcement, a group of illegal miners scattered and fled into the surrounding area. In their haste to escape, the suspects abandoned their mining equipment, an unlicensed firearm, and several *phendukas*.
Returning to the sector for a follow-up sweep on 06 June 2026, police tracked down the 35-year-old suspect concealed in dense bushland. Upon apprehending him, officers discovered he was in illegal possession of ten rounds of ammunition of varying calibers.
During a broader search of a separate area nearby, authorities also recovered a significant stash of 539 rounds of abandoned ammunition alongside two generators, all of which were seized. Meanwhile, a specialized Bomb Disposal Unit was deployed to the initial scene to safely destroy the abandoned *phendukas*.
The suspect has been formally charged with the unlawful possession of ammunition and a contravention of the Immigration Act. He is scheduled to make his first appearance at the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on 08 June 2026.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reaffirmed its ongoing dedication to eradicating illegal mining syndicates, emphasizing that operations will continue until all perpetrators are brought to justice.