A joint team of South African Police Service and South African National Defense Force members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi in the Free State are currently busy processing a scene where packaged foodstuffs intended to be delivered and dropped for underground illegal miners were found.
The team received information about suspicious activities taking place at Thusana Trust, a farm near R708 outside Theunissen. A way-lay operation and aerial drone observation were planned, and today at first light the team pounced and arrested six suspects; males aged 29, 61 and 64, as well as females aged 18, 25 and 51 who were busy with food packaging.
As members started unwrapping the packages; 2 500 cans of energy drinks, 2 600 tins of corned meat, 2 600 instant porridge [1kg], 2 000 packs of powdered milk [1kg] were counted. The team searched the premises and discovered that the house was under surveillance with highly sophisticated camera which can be monitored from another location.
A case docket of conspiracy to commit crime of illicit mining and aiding illegal underground miners was opened at Theunissen Police Station. The suspects will appear before court soon.
