Police seize two hand grenades as illegal miners fled from SAPS members

Police seize two hand grenades as illegal miners fled from SAPS members
Police seize two hand grenades as illegal miners fled from SAPS members. Image source: SAPS

A successful operation was conducted at Ehlanzeni District on Friday 20 September 2024 and this time around, the focus was at Dientjie area as well as the surrounding places, being led by Major General Dorah Xaba, the District Commissioner of Ehlanzeni District.

Operation Vala Umgodi resulted in the confiscation of various items, including two F1 hand grenades and dozens of live ammunitions.

As the men and women in Blue moved closer to the area where these illegal mining activities were being carried out, the alleged illegal miners felt they could not stand the pressure of the formidable force. They had no other choice but to flee, leaving behind the hand grenades as well as a large amount of ammunition.

An enquiry has since been opened in relation to this discovery.

Meanwhile the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has welcomed the recovery of the items. The General further issued a stern warning against illegal miners.

“This is very much concerning situation whereby military items are found and used by these illegal miners. We are busy intensifying our efforts as we can never allow a situation of lawlessness to continue unabated in our province. We will continue with similar operations until we are left with no illegal miner, ” said the General.

SAPS Newsroom

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