Police in the Namakwa District have intensified the controversial Operation Vala Umgodi crackdown on illegal mining, stopping and searching suspects at known mining hotspots on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

Police arrested a 32-year-old man after allegedly finding unpolished diamonds in his possession, raising fresh debate about the scale of illicit diamond trading in the region.

In a separate raid on a targeted property in Kleinsee, police arrested two more suspects, aged 30 and 40, for alleged drug dealing after confiscating dagga, liquor and cash believed to be proceeds of crime.

Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane, provincial police spokesperson says the Vala Umgodi team will maintain a zero-tolerance approach as tensions continue over illegal mining and related crimes across Namakwa.