Police Arrest Six immigrants in Pilgrim’s Rest

Six men, aged between 19 and 36, appeared before the Graskop Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 12 September, after being arrested a day earlier during Operation Vala Umgodi.

The suspects were apprehended in the Pilgrim’s Rest area by members of the Combat and Proactive team, who were conducting disruptive operations targeting illegal mining activities.

Police reported that the men were unable to produce valid documents to be in South Africa. During the same operation, officers seized mining equipment, including phendukas, steel balls, generators, motors, water pumps, carbon granules and other items typically used in illicit mining.

The suspects have been charged with contravening the Immigration Act and remain in custody. They are scheduled to appear again at the Pilgrim’s Rest Periodical Court on Wednesday, 17 September 2025.

Those arrested have been named as Advance Mohlanga, Bethuel Ndlovu, Lawrence Afonso Magale, Vusimuzi Nyoni, Jose Andre Manganga and Joao Vilankulu.