The group is facing charges of illicit mining and contravention of the immigration act. The suspects were arrested in two separate police Operation Vala Umgodi operations on Friday.

Three suspects, aged between 27 and 33, were arrested after they were allegedly found with picks and shovels, engaged in illicit mining in Sabie. The four other suspects, aged between 18 and 20, were arrested after they were allegedly also found busy with illegal mining activities at the Vaalhoek River in Pilgrim's Rest. They are all suspected of being in the country illegally.

--SABC--