Johannesburg,South Africa

The police in Limpopo has confirmed an arrest of three undocumented Zimbabwean nationals which were found in possession of illicit cigarettes worth more than R21 million in Musina.

The statement said a SAPS Border Policing roving team deployed in Limpopo province as part of OPERATION VALA UMGODI in collaboration with SARS Customs officials seized illicit tobacco products worth more than R21 million and arrested three undocumented Zimbabwean nationals in Musina on Wednesday,25 September 2024.

The statement added that according to a preliminary report,the team obtained information that a consignment of illicit tobacco products("hubbly bubbly") was making its way on a truck through Musina.The truck was successfully intercepted by the members which led to the seizure of the illicit tobacco products and the arrest of three suspects.

Police also revealed that made five arrests across Musina during their specialised operation called VALA UMGODI which is focusing mainly on fighting illegal mining activities which are taking place in South African community.

Police said on the same day,a VALA UMGODI Mission Area Joint Operational Centre(MAJOC) roving team comprising of SAPS members from Public Order Policing(POP) and Tactical Response Team(TRT) as well as SAPS drone pilots operationalised information they obtained.This led to the arrest of five Zimbabwean nationals at an address in Musina for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.The team seized three firearms and 74 rounds of ammunition of different calibres.

The police investigation has discovered that one of the firearms that was found there is linked to house robbery in Potchefstroom.

Police revealed that at the same address,the team arrested three more Zimbabwean nationals for the possession of dagga.Over 110 kilograms of dagga with an estimated street value of R137 000 was seized.

Police also added that SAPS members from various specialised units such as the National Intervention Unit(NIU),Crime Intelligence(CI),Public Order Policing(POP),Tactical Response Team(TRT),Border Policing,Airwing,Drone teams,detectives and K9 units are currently deployed in the seven hot spot provinces as part of OPERATION VALA UMGODI.This is a crime fighting strategy aimed at preventing and combating illicit mining activities within the country.

In conclusion,the police revealed that within the first six months of its activation,OPERATION VALA UMGODI recorded over 6000 arrests with the period of December 2023 to June 2024 countrywide.