Police destroy makeshift bridge near Beitbridge border in fight against illicit mining
This week, in a concerted effort to prevent and combat illicit mining activities and other crimes, the South African Police Service (SAPS) destroyed a ‘man-made’ bridge that was built over the Limpopo River, near the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
Border policing members deployed on the South African/Zimbabwean borderline found this bridge while patrolling the border fence line.
“The illegal bridge was less than a kilometre east of Beit Bridge Port of Entry and reportedly used to smuggle goods and people into and out of South Africa.
“Through the expertise of the SAPS’ Explosive Section, the bridge was successfully destroyed ahead of Limpopo province’s rain season,” said police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk.
The Border policing members deployed in Limpopo province form part of Operation Vala Umgodi; government's response to address illicit mining activities in the country.
Operation Vala Umgodi, established in December 2023, is inclusive of SAPS, the South African National Defence Force, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Department of Home Affairs, and other law enforcement agencies.
These multi-disciplinary operations are being carried out in the seven identified hotspot provinces, namely; Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and North West.
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