JOHANNESBURG: A total of 369 suspects have been arrested during the South African Police Service’s nationwide Operation Vala Umgodi, which targets illegal mining. The suspects, of different nationalities, were arrested for illegal mining-related offences and other crimes such as murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives, and possession of suspected stolen property.
According to South African Government News Agency, during Operation Vala Umgodi in the Northern Cape, 21 unpolished diamonds were seized in Kleinsee on 15 April, leading to the arrest of four suspects. Within days, the team seized 39 more unpolished diamonds and arrested five suspects on the R355 en route to Port Nolloth on 21 April. Other items seized during Operation Vala Umgodi in the past week include five unlicensed firearms, 34 rounds of ammunition, and 15 vehicles including sedans, bakkies, trucks, and trailers.
Highlights of Operation Vala Umgodi in the past week include activities in several provinces. In Free State, the operation team arrested 14 undocumented persons around Allenridge Rock Dam, Meloding Calaria location, and Rathaba Hostel. More than 400 kilograms of gold-bearing material and illicit gold processing equipment were seized.
In Gauteng, on 19 April, the team carried out an intelligence-driven operation at the N12 informal settlement, Crystal Park. The operation resulted in the arrest of 15 illegal miners, and various illegal mining equipment were seized, including ‘phendukas’ used to refine and extract gold from ore, and gas cylinders.
In Limpopo, ten suspects were apprehended on charges of illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act on 18 April. Two of these suspects were nabbed for illegal processing of precious minerals in the Giyani policing area.
In Mpumalanga, a total of 27 suspects were apprehended in Barberton on 20 April 2025. One suspect was found in possession of explosives and another was found in possession of ammunition.
In North West, 104 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested, and a variety of illegal mining equipment was also seized. The suspects were nabbed between 10 and 16 April in the Bojanala sub-district 1 and 2, covering the Brits and Rustenburg areas.
The South African Police Service stated that while progress is being made, continued vigilance and action are necessary to completely disrupt illegal mining networks. Public cooperation is vital in this regard, and all South Africans are encouraged to report illegal mining activities.