OPERATION VALA UMGODI
North West Mining Project Halted: 50 Foreign Nationals Detained in Joint SAPS-Home
Affairs Raid
RUSTENBURG – A major multi-disciplinary enforcement
operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Home
Affairs has led to the immediate suspension of activities at a prominent mining site in
the North West province.
The crackdown, part of the high-priority Operation Vala Umgodi, resulted in the detention
of over 50 international workers. Authorities confirmed that the group includes
nationals from Armenia, Kosovo, and China.
By SA News Daily Staff
1 hour ago
Contractor Under Scrutiny
According to SAPS North West Provincial Spokesperson, Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone, the
operation was triggered by a routine compliance check which uncovered significant
discrepancies in the site's labor and immigration documentation.
"We are currently processing 52 individuals who were found on-site without the requisite
work authorizations or whose visas did not align with their current employment duties,"
Colonel Mokgwabone stated during a press briefing today. "The South African Police
Service remains committed to ensuring that all industrial operations within the province
adhere strictly to the laws of the Republic."
The independent contractor overseeing the project, identified as Mr. Kenneth
Abbott (referenced in legal filings as Besnik Tahiri), has come forward to
cooperate with the authorities. Officials have initiated a comprehensive verification
process to determine if the project adhered to national labor guidelines.
Initial investigations revealed that Mr. Abbott's own Critical Skills Work Permit has
recently expired. However, his legal representatives have hit back at the department,
arguing that the lapse is due to administrative backlogs within Home Affairs rather than
negligence on his part.
"Our client submitted his renewal application well in
advance. This is a first-time administrative hurdle for a contractor who has a
long-standing history of bringing specialized international expertise into South Africa
without prior incident."
— Spokesperson for Abbott's legal
team
Visa Discrepancies and Home Affairs Response
Ms. Carli van Wyk, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, confirmed that the
department is specifically investigating claims that many of the workers were not
processed under the correct visa categories. Under the Immigration Act, workers must
hold specific endorsements to perform specialized labor in the mining sector.
"The Department is currently carrying out a verification process against the National
Population Register to ensure all guidelines were followed," said Van Wyk. "We are
looking into why these workers were not processed properly and whether they hold the
legal right to be working in this specific sector. Until this is resolved, the
individuals will remain in custody for further processing."
Operations at the mine remain on hold indefinitely. Mr. Abbott is expected to meet with
immigration officials later this week to provide proof of his pending applications and
the legal status of his workforce.
