Some of the 53 illegal immigrants arrested in Ventersburg during Operation Vala Umgodi. Photo: SAPS
Lejweleputswa police have arrested 126 suspects, including illegal immigrants, and seized dagga weighing over 1 tonne during Operation Vala Umgodi in the Goldfields.
The disruptive actions took place between 29 July and 4 August in Bothaville, Viljoenskroon, Vierfontein, Welkom, Theunissen and Thabong.
Members who participated in Operation Vala Umgodi, ready to protect and serve in operations held in mines in the Goldfields. Photo: SAPS
The charges include illegal immigration, traffic offences, alcohol offences, possession and trafficking of dagga and possession of gold-bearing material.
Members of Vala Ungodi worked with the Department of Home Affairs and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) worked with the police to bring about justice.
Various crime prevention operations were carried out including road blocks, intelligence-led operations, vehicle checkpoints, intensive forest patrols, stop and search points, ambushes and searches of premises. The various units also patrolled various shopping malls in the area, visited spaza shops, searched vehicles and persons during road blocks and patrolled mines and shafts to ensure police visibility.
Police seized dagga weighing 1,174kg and having a street value of R4,024, cash worth R1,620 and almost 8kg of gold-bearing material.
The suspects appeared in the courts of Welkom, Viljoenskroon, Odendaalsrus, Ventersburg and Theunissen on August 5, respectively.
Marti Will
www.news24.com
