Police have arrested 15 suspects in connection with illegal mining activities and possession of suspected unpolished diamonds in the Northern Cape province.
The suspects, aged between 22 and 50, were arrested by a multi-disciplinary, intelligence-driven operation conducted by members under Operation Vala Umgodi.
The members received information about a suspicious nocturnal mining operation at a diamond site in Koingnaas.
SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL MINING
The team then acted on the information they received and went to the location where they apprehended 10 suspects who were actively engaged in illegal mining.
Additionally, the suspects were also found in possession of suspected unpolished diamonds.
Three other suspects were arrested in Longlands following reports of illegal mining activities in the area.
Police confiscated equipment believed to have been used in the commission of illegal mining, including suspected diamond-bearing gravel and unpolished diamonds.
The suspects are expected to appear in their respective Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, 23 June 2025.
150 SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR DRUG DEALING
Approximately 150 suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs in the Garden Route District, Western Cape.
The crime-combating operations, responsible for the arrests, started with their operations on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 and concluded on Sunday, 22 June 2025, where 11 suspects were arrested for drug dealing and 139 suspects for the possession of illicit drugs.
A total of 304 mandrax tablets, 87.67 grams of tik, 11 grams of mandrax powder, two grams of cocaine and one gram of cracked cocaine were confiscated.
In a related incident, police conducted an intelligence-driven operation at a house on Circular Road, Parkdene in George.
Upon arrival, police found 115 mandrax tablets, 20 tik bankies and one R5 round, which were confiscated.
The suspects will appear in their respective courts once they have been formally charged.
Do you think the penalties given to drug dealers are effective and might work in stopping drug-dealing?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
