Limpopo: Eleven suspects aged between 20 and 54 were arrested for illegal mining of sand and being illegal immigrants at Sekhukhune, Mopani, and Vhembe districts, during operations conducted on Friday, 25 April 2025.

According to South African Police Service, four suspects were arrested at the Hlogotlou Policing area in the Sekhukhune district for illegal mining of sand. Members of Operation Vala Umgodi deployed in the area observed the suspects loading sand into trucks at Luckau Village. Upon approaching the suspects, authorities discovered they did not have the necessary permits to mine in the area. Consequently, all the suspects were apprehended. As part of the arrest, two white Mercedes Benz trucks, a white Toyota Dyna truck, four pickaxes, eleven shovels, and five spades were confiscated.

Meanwhile, seven other suspects, aged between 20 and 47, were arrested for being illegal immigrants in the Letsitele Policing area under the Mopani district and the Musina Policing area under the Vhembe district.

The arrested suspects are expected to appear in the local Magistrate’s court soon. Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.