In a targeted disruptive operation, members of Operation Vala Umgodi arrested 10 undocumented persons in the Bonnet area of Graskop on Saturday, 17 May 2025. The suspects, aged between 18 and 42, were charged with Contravention of the Immigration Act after failing to produce valid documentation to be in South Africa.
According to police reports, the operation was part of an ongoing sting initiative aimed at curbing illegal activities in the province. During the same operation in Pilgrim’s Rest, a 32-year-old suspect was fined for Contravening the Mpumalanga Business Act, and a gambling machine valued at approximately R7,000 was confiscated.
The arrests followed a proactive sweep by law enforcement officers deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi, who intercepted the foreign nationals during their patrols. The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Graskop Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 May 2025.
Meanwhile, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to the operation, stating that “Operation Vala Umgodi is here to stay.” He highlighted the visible successes of the initiative, emphasizing its positive impact on crime prevention in the province.
Authorities have vowed to continue intensifying operations to ensure compliance with immigration and business regulations across Mpumalanga.
