Two foreign nationals, Justice Thejana (30) and Rethabile Pheku (40), were arrested by combat and proactive members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, along the R532 Road between Graskop and Ohrigstad.
During an intelligence-driven disruptive operation in the Matibidi area, the team spotted a white Toyota Fortuner with Gauteng registration number plates and there were two occupants inside. The vehicle was stopped and a search by alert officers, led to the discovery of explosives hidden inside the door panels.
The following items were confiscated:
• Six (6) Superpower 90 Solar Explochemo explosives
• A cellphone
• The Toyota Fortuner used in the crime
The suspects were arrested and charged with unlawful possession of explosives. The suspects already appeared at the Graskop Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 13 March 2025 and they were remanded in custody. They are set to appear again at the same court on 20 April 2025.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomed the arrests and issued a stern warning to those involved in illegal mining. The General appreciated the impact made by the law enforcement team as they display commitment and their hardwork is often yielding positive results and in the long run, illegal mining and related crimes will be dismantled completely.