43-Year-Old Ethiopian National Arrested With Unlicensed Firearm as Police Nab 95 Illegal Immigrants and Seize Suspected Illegal Mining Equipment in Sekhukhune

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo arrested 95 suspected illegal immigrants and seized an unlicensed firearm, illicit cigarettes and equipment suspected to be linked to illegal mining during two separate intelligence-driven Operation Shanela 2 operations conducted in the Sekhukhune District between 18 and 19 June 2026.

The first operation was carried out at Ga-Mpusheng Village in the Atok policing area from 22:00 on Thursday to 06:00 on Friday.

The operation involved various police stations in the district, supported by K9 units from Masemola and Public Order Policing members from Burgersfort.

Police arrested 15 suspects, including nine Zimbabwean nationals, four Mozambican nationals, one Lesotho national and one Ethiopian national.

The 43-year-old Ethiopian national faces charges related to the Immigration Act, possession of illicit cigarettes, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and magazine.

During the operation, police recovered an unlicensed firearm and magazine, a vehicle battery, seven jackhammers, three generators, two shovels, electrical cables, a jackhammer box, ten cartons of suspected illicit Remington cigarettes, a hammer, a knife, a screwdriver and a chisel.

Authorities believe the recovered equipment may have been used in illegal mining activities. Cartons of suspected illicit cigarettes were also seized during the operation.

In a separate operation conducted in the Marble Hall, Matlerekeng and Elandskraal policing areas, SAPS members, assisted by the Dennilton K9 Unit and private security companies, arrested 80 suspected illegal immigrants.

This included 25 arrests in the three policing areas and a further 55 suspects intercepted while being transported in two KIA trucks along the N11.

The suspects are being processed with the Department of Home Affairs to verify their immigration status and are expected to appear before the Sekhukhune and Groblersdal Magistrates’ Courts on 22 June 2026.