Mpumalanga Police Seize Unwrought Gold, Arrest Foreign Nationals
Mpumalanga police have arrested three Mozambican nationals and a Zimbabwean national following a late-night operation near Delmas that resulted in the seizure of unwrought gold valued at an estimated R800,000.
According to police reports, the incident unfolded as members of a multidisciplinary team were conducting patrol duties on the N12 route, specifically under the bridge at the Delmas off-ramp. Their attention was drawn to a white Toyota Fortuner that was conspicuously lacking registration plates.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Jabu Ndubane detailed the sequence of events. "The vehicle was stopped and searched, and unwrought gold with an estimated street value of R800,000 was found inside a white plastic bag," she stated. The three Mozambican nationals, aged between 24 and 34, were immediately arrested for possession of unwrought gold and for failing to produce valid documentation permitting them to be in South Africa. They are scheduled to appear in the Delmas Magistrate's Court on Monday.
The situation escalated further at approximately 2am while officers were processing the initial arrests at the Delmas police station. A 27-year-old Zimbabwean national allegedly offered one of the officers a R5,000 bribe in an attempt to secure the release of his brothers, who were among those arrested earlier.
Lt-Col Ndubane confirmed that the Zimbabwean man was promptly arrested for bribery. He now faces charges related to attempting to bribe a police officer.
Acting Mpumalanga Police Commissioner General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi has praised the officers involved for their diligence and commitment to upholding the law.
"We are pleased with the success of this operation and the efforts of our members in preventing and combating crime," said General Mkhwanazi. He also issued a stern warning to foreign nationals, stating that the police in Mpumalanga will not tolerate any form of criminal activity.
"We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who break the law are brought to book and tried," he affirmed. General Mkhwanazi also appealed to the public to assist the police in their efforts. "We urge all members of the community to report any information about crime to the police, and to work with us to create a safer and more secure environment for all individuals, particularly during the festive season."
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