Pilgrim’s rest: The multidisciplinary team, deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi, arrested three suspects, aged between 18 and 36. The suspects are expected to appear before the Pilgrim’s Rest Periodical Court soon, after being nabbed for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa and for illegal mining. The suspects were apprehended in the Pilgrim’s Rest area on Thursday, 17 July 2025.

According to South African Police Service, a report indicates that proactive and combat members conducted an operation. It was during this time when the team cornered three undocumented foreign nationals in the said area.

The investigators are working collaboratively with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain the status of the arrested suspects, and be as it may, the suspects were charged accordingly.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, is grateful for the notable and great work done by the team executing duties in relation to Operation Vala Umgodi.