Eleven suspects who were arrested last Friday (28^th) for illegally mining sand at Matangari village appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court late on Monday. The suspects did not appear in court at the same time, but in batches of two, six, and three.

The first to appear were Tshinetise Andries Nemalili and Thilivhali Nyamande, while the second group consisted of Mulisa Mamafha, Phophi Rambuda, George Salani, Isaack Munyai, Thinavhuyo Mamagau, and Tshimangadzo Rambuda.

The third group to appear were three suspects who are also facing charges of being in the country illegally. They are Tafadza Moyo, Dincent Mudzunga, and Simbarashe Gwedura. The case against the three was postponed to Thursday to give the authorities an opportunity to verify their status with the Department of Home Affairs.

According to the provincial spokesperson of the South African Police Services (SAPS), Col Malesela Ledwaba, the suspects were caught red-handed while mining sand at Matangari village, an area known for being problematic in terms of illegal sand mining.

Colonel Ledwaba said to fight illegal sand mining syndicates, they had formed a multidisciplinary team comprising members from various police units, the SANDF, and other role players under Operation Vala Umgodi. Ledwaba added that the team had received a tip-off about illegal mining in progress and the loading of sand at Matangari village.

“The team operationalised the information and went to the crime scene. They found eleven suspects, aged between 18 and 54, who were busy mining sand illegally and were put under arrest. The team confiscated three tipper trucks and six shovels,” he said.