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

FREE STATE - Operation Vala uMgodi team in Free State Province executed an intelligence driven operation and arrested six (6) suspects in a swoop. The team carried out a planned disruptive operation to combat illegal mining activities prohibited by MPRDA [Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act].

The police found three (3) suspects aged 20, 31 and 32 busy mining sand on the identified target location, Blaawdrift Farm near R30 Road Theunissen. A White FAW Star truck loaded with sand was confiscated.

Three (3) other suspects aged 34, 35 and 41 were also found mining sand in the same Blaawdrift Farm vicinity. Another truck, White Mercedes Benz Tipper Lorry, and CAT Tractor Loader Backhoe [TLB] were also confiscated.

A case docket of Contravention of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 read with The Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005 Section 4(1) was then opened at Theunissen Police Station. Suspects will appear in Theunissen Magistrate Court on Monday 19 May 2025.
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