
The Vala Umgodi Task Team has been making waves with their recent operations, and their latest effort in Thohoyandou is no exception. On Tuesday, 24 December 2024, the team arrested nine suspects, including eight illegal immigrants, and confiscated an illegal firearm.
Their operation involved stop-and-search procedures in Makwarela township, where they apprehended five illegal immigrants between the ages of 20 and 30. They also intercepted a suspicious vehicle along the R524 road, uncovering a 9mm pistol in the driver’s possession. The driver was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
This operation is part of the broader Vala Umgodi initiative, which targets illegal activities like mining, immigration, and possession of illegal firearms. The team’s efforts have been replicated in other districts, including Frances Baard and Namakwa, resulting in multiple arrests.
The suspects are set to appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 27 December 2024.