Foreign Nationals
By Nkosana Khumalo
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga – Two foreign nationals, Justice Thejana (30) and Rethabile Pheku (40), were arrested by Mpumalanga police on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, for the unlawful possession of explosives, marking another success for Operation Vala Umgodi. The arrests took place along the R532 Road between Graskop and Ohrigstad during an intelligence-driven operation targeting illegal mining activities in the province. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has hailed the operation as a step forward in dismantling crime networks, with the suspects already appearing in court and remanded in custody.
The Arrest: A Breakthrough on the R532 Road
The arrests unfolded in the Matibidi area, a hotspot for illegal mining activities in Mpumalanga. According to Mpumalanga Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the operation was spearheaded by “combat and proactive members” deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi, a nationwide initiative aimed at curbing illegal mining and related crimes. “Two foreign nationals, Justice Thejana (30) and Rethabile Pheku (40), were arrested by combat and proactive members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, along the R532 Road between Graskop and Ohrigstad,” Ndubane said in a statement on 13 March 2025.
The police team, acting on intelligence, spotted a suspicious white Toyota Fortuner with Gauteng registration plates travelling along the R532 Road. Inside were two occupants—later identified as Thejana and Pheku. “During an intelligence-driven disruptive operation in the Matibidi area, the team spotted a white Toyota Fortuner with Gauteng registration number plates and there were two occupants inside,” Ndubane explained. The vehicle was pulled over, and a thorough search by alert officers uncovered a troubling find: explosives concealed within the door panels.
The confiscated items included:
• Six (6) Superpower 90 Solar Explochemo explosives
• A cellphone
• The Toyota Fortuner used in the crimeThe discovery of the Superpower 90 Solar Explochemo explosives—a type commonly linked to illegal mining operations—raised immediate alarm. The suspects were promptly arrested and charged with unlawful possession of explosives, a serious offence under South African law.
Court Appearance and Ongoing Investigation
Following their arrest, Thejana and Pheku appeared before the Graskop Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 13 March 2025—just a day after the incident. “The suspects already appeared at the Graskop Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 13 March 2025, and they were remanded in custody,” Ndubane confirmed. The court ordered their detention, with their next appearance scheduled for 20 April 2025, allowing time for further investigation.
The swift court appearance reflects the urgency with which authorities are treating the case. Posts on X from @SAPoliceService on 14 March 2025 corroborate this timeline, stating, “The suspects appeared at the Graskop Magistrate’s Court on 13 March 2025 and were remanded in custody.” The police are likely probing whether the explosives were intended for illegal mining operations in the region, a persistent challenge in Mpumalanga’s mineral-rich areas.
Operation
Vala Umgodi: A Crackdown on Illegal Mining
Operation Vala Umgodi, meaning “Close the Hole” in isiZulu, is a multi-agency effort launched by the SAPS to combat illegal mining across South Africa. In Mpumalanga, the operation has gained traction, targeting not only the miners themselves but also the supply chains that sustain these illicit activities—such as the trafficking of explosives. The arrest of Thejana and Pheku is the latest in a string of successes for the initiative.
A SAPS Mpumalanga media statement from 11 March 2025 highlighted another Operation Vala Umgodi victory in Pilgrim’s Rest, where five suspects—including four undocumented foreign nationals—were arrested for possession of precious metals. This pattern suggests a broader crackdown on foreign nationals involved in mining-related crimes, though police have not yet disclosed the nationalities of Thejana and Pheku.
The discovery of explosives in the Toyota Fortuner points to a sophisticated operation. Superpower 90 Solar Explochemo explosives are high-powered and typically used in controlled mining environments, making their presence in an unregistered vehicle a red flag. Web sources, including a Road Safety Blog post from 25 February 2025, note similar arrests in Sabie, where 14 suspects were nabbed with illegal mining equipment and ammunition. This indicates that Matibidi, Graskop, and surrounding areas are key focus points for law enforcement.
Police Leadership Applauds the Team
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the arresting officers for their diligence. “The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrests and issued a stern warning to those involved in illegal mining,” Ndubane said. Mkhwanazi highlighted the broader impact of such operations, adding, “The General appreciated the impact made by the law enforcement team as they display commitment and their hard work is often yielding positive results and in the long run, illegal mining and related crimes will be dismantled completely.”
Mkhwanazi’s warning resonates with the province’s ongoing battle against “zama zamas”—illegal miners who often use explosives to access underground deposits. A SAPS report from 24 February 2025 detailed the arrest of 14 suspects in Sabie for possession of ammunition and mining equipment, reinforcing the commissioner’s confidence in the operation’s long-term success.
🔴 Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 97 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: “Makalo Mohale Appointed to Key Economic Advisory Council in Free State”
Download Here:
Direct PDF Link:
https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Central-News-Issue-097.pdf
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube