Maputo, 18 Oct (AIM) – The South African Police Service (SAPS) have detained 19 undocumented Mozambican nationals for illegal mining in Pilgrims Rest, Mpumalanga province.
According to a SAPS statement, the 19 individuals remanded in custody following their brief court appearance on Wednesday in Pilgrims Rest Magistrate’s Court.
“The suspects, aged between 18 and 33, were arrested following an intelligence driven operation conducted by members attached to Mpumalanga Operation Vala Umgodi on Tuesday. They were allegedly going to the illegal mining site in New Town, Pilgrims Rest”, reads the note.
It is alleged that the suspects became suspicious when approaching the illegal mining site and started running in different directions. Police who were already positioned for the situation acted swiftly, and managed to detain the 19 suspects.
“All suspects appeared in court on Wednesday, and they were remanded in custody for their second court appearance scheduled for different dates starting from 18 to 28 October 2024”, said Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga.
He also commended “members for their dedication and welcomed the arrests.”
(AIM)
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