By Phenyo Selinda
KLEINZEE, NORTHERN CAPE – In a continuing effort to crack down on illicit mining operations, the multi-disciplinary team behind Operation Vala Umgodi made significant progress this weekend, arresting four men aged between 32 and 44 for illegal mining activities and trespassing in the Kleinzee area. This operation, carried out on Saturday, 21 September 2024, involved a coordinated effort between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and local authorities.
According to Sergeant Merapelo Pilane, the arrests followed intelligence-driven operations that identified ongoing illegal mining activities on private mine property in the Namakwa District. Mining implements, believed to be used for illegal activities, were confiscated during the operation, and the individuals involved are set to face charges related to both illegal mining and trespassing.
This recent operation is part of a broader, sustained effort to combat illegal mining in the Northern Cape. Known as Operation Vala Umgodi, the initiative has been instrumental in disrupting illicit mining operations across the province, particularly in the mining-rich regions around Kleinzee and Namaqualand.
Crackdown on Illegal Mining Intensifies
Operation Vala Umgodi, which has been ongoing since earlier this year, aims to eliminate illegal mining, a growing issue in South Africa that threatens the environment, legal mining operations, and local communities. This multi-stakeholder initiative involves the collaboration of SAPS, SANDF, the Department of Home Affairs, and local intelligence units, each playing a critical role in tracking and dismantling illegal mining syndicates.
The team’s focus on Kleinzee stems from the area’s reputation as a hotbed for diamond-related illegal mining. Previous operations in Kleinzee have resulted in multiple arrests, with SAPS seizing a range of mining equipment, from crushers and generators to diamond-bearing gravel and other tools used in unlawful mining operations .
Community Impact and Continued Operations
The issue of illegal mining is not just an economic concern but also a socio-environmental one. Illegal miners, often referred to as “zama zamas”, work under hazardous conditions, risking their lives to extract precious minerals, primarily diamonds in this region. The community of Kleinzee, once a thriving mining town, has faced increased pressure as illegal miners exploit abandoned or underutilised sites, leading to security concerns and environmental degradation.
Authorities have emphasized that Operation Vala Umgodi will continue in the district with further disruptive actions planned to prevent the resurgence of illegal mining activities. This commitment was echoed by Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, who praised the dedication and professionalism of the SAPS and SANDF teams involved in the operation .
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