Suspect arrested for illegal mining reappears in court
MECKLENBURG – The Mecklenburg Magistrate’s Court remanded the accused in illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act, Blessing Mahlalela (24) to custody until 7 March (today) pending investigations when he appeared before the court on 28 February.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson informed that it is reported the multidisciplinary forces, comprising of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), through the disruptive operation Vala Umgodi, on Tuesday 27 February, arrested the suspect for illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act in the Mecklenburg policing precinct.
Ledwaba said that in a separate incident, police recovered abandoned mining equipment at illegal mining sites on Tuesday 27 February during the same operation, under the Driekop policing precinct also in Sekhukhune district. “The equipment included two power generators and four jackhammers,” revealed Ledwaba.