Suspects nabbed for illegal sand mining and firearms recovered

LETEBEJANE/MAMPHOKGO – The South African Police Service (SAPS) illicit mining team nabbed four suspects for illegally mining sand in Letebejane Village on Friday, 1 November at about 8:00 during the intelligence-driven operation Vala Umgodi.

The multidisciplinary team comprised of the National Intervention Unit, Technical Response Team, Public Order Policing and the Organised Crime Investigation Unit.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, said the suspects, aged between 39 and 49 were found busy mining sand illegally within the Rakgoadi policing precinct.

Ledwaba added that while busy effecting the arrest, police received information about foreign nationals who were selling illicit cigarettes.

“They proceeded to the location and arrested two of the suspects and further confiscated the illicit cigarettes,” informed Ledwaba.

He added that in another turn of events, intelligence information was received about abandoned firearms in Mamphokgo Village, also under Rakgoadi SAPS. “The information led the team to a secluded place in the area where two 9mm pistols, three magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition were found and confiscated. Police investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the firearms and any of their involvement in the commission of crime,” stated Ledwaba.

The suspects arrested for illegal sand mining were expected to appear before the Motetema Magistrate’s Court earlier in the week.