Mozambican nationals arrested for illegal mining appear in court

Nine Mozambican nationals arrested for alleged illegal mining in Mashobota near Ngodwana, Mpumalanga are expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Monday. They were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation, following sporadic shootouts between rival illegal mining gangs. Police confiscated equipment and chemicals suspected to have been used to refine gold-bearing material. A total of eight bodies have been found in the area. Two bullet-riddled bodies were discovered along the N4 Schoemanskloof road during the past week. Members of the joint security and law enforcement initiative - Operation Vala Umgodi - are expected to continue their operation in the area. SABC News Reporter Tumelo Machogo is in Mbombela and joins us live. For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.