Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State

BLOEMFONTEIN - Combat and Proactive teams deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi in the Free State Province conducted bush patrols and swept through known open cast illegal mining areas with great success.

A total of five suspects between the ages of 26 and 47 were arrested in Odendaalsrus area when the operators patrolled the pits around the sewage dam. The first two males were caught in the act of processing gold bearing material; two phendukas with a stand, seven steel balls, a stumper and sieve were confiscated. Gold bearing material weighing at 14.02 kilograms was seized.

Three other suspects were arrested in the same vicinity in possession of gold bearing material weighing at 9.22 kilograms and 8.06 kilograms being seized. Cases of possession of suspected gold bearing material; gold processing equipment with additional charges of contravention of the Immigration Act were opened at Odendaalsrus Police Station.

All suspects will appear before Court soon.

Ends

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