Over 480 illegal miners appear in Barberton court
Police arrested the group at Barberton Mine on Friday, 1 August 2025, during a joint operation with Sheba Mine.
The arrests were part of Operation Vala Umgodi, a long-term effort to dismantle illegal mining syndicates in the area.
The charges include trespassing, theft of gold-bearing material, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
The court granted bail of R2 000 each to 26 of the accused. The magistrate considered that these individuals had no prior convictions, no pending cases, and had fixed addresses.
The court warned them not to commit any offences while on bail.
The State said it would oppose bail for those with prior convictions or pending cases.
The court remanded the remaining accused in custody and postponed the case to 11–12 August 2025 for address verification and further bail hearings.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that it remains committed to prosecuting illegal mining, which poses significant risks to the economy, human health, and the environment. Do you think it's fair to grant bail to some of the accused illegal miners, or should all suspects remain in custody until trial?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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