WATCH: About 1 000 suspected illegal miners arrested in Barberton
The arrests followed a crackdown launched on Monday, July 28, under the banner of Operation Vala Umgodi.
Many of those taken into custody are reportedly young children.
According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the arrests were the result of a joint effort by the National Roving Team, K9 Unit, Vukalanga Security, and members of the Combat and Proactive team.
'The operation was coordinated and carried out successfully. Pressure from law enforcement agencies disrupted the illegal mining activities and forced the suspects to resurface,' he said.
Foreign nationals without valid documentation
Mdhluli added that initial investigations indicate many of the suspects are foreign nationals without valid documentation, and a significant number appear to be underage.
ALSO READ: Over 1 000 illegal miners arrested across Lowveld
Ongoing investigations are being carried out in collaboration with officials of the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the National Prosecuting Authority and other law enforcement agencies.
Mdhluli said the nationalities of those arrested are still being confirmed.
ALSO READ: Mpumalanga illegal mining: Cops crack down on gold mining in Schoemanskloof
The suspects are expected to be charged with contravening the Immigration Act, as well as offences related to illegal mining and trespassing. Additional charges may follow as investigations continue.
Arrests welcomed
The arrests were welcomed by Mpumalanga's MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, who said the operation highlights government's commitment to fighting crime.
ALSO READ: Premier promises to continue fight against illegal mining outside Pilgrim's Rest
According to Macie, the unauthorised entry of people into the country negatively affects the safety and security of communities. He added that investigating crimes involving undocumented foreign nationals presents significant challenges.
'The movement of illegal immigrants contributes to a rise in undetected crime. I acknowledge the devastating impact of illegal mining and its long-term effects on the environment,' he said.
'We welcome the efforts of the police and all roleplayers involved in Friday's operation. However, we also urge police to go after those directing illegal mining operations. Communities should refrain from harbouring zama zamas and report them to the police,' he concluded.
#sapsMP [DEVELOPING] Approximately 1000 (or even more) illegal immigrants were apprehended at a certain mine in Barberton today, Friday 01/08 during Operation Vala Umgodi.
The collaboration between the National Roving team, K9 (Dog) Unit, Task Force, Vukalanga Security, members… pic.twitter.com/Ysth23WxvT
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 2, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Man's body parts in plastic and maize meal bags: Woman to appear in Ermelo court
Man's body parts in plastic and maize meal bags: Woman to appear in Ermelo court A 33-year-old woman is expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate's Court today, after she was arrested following the discovery of a man's dismembered body parts on Monday. According to Mpumalanga News, police received information that a 37-year-old man was stabbed to death, allegedly by his female companion. 'The dispatched officers discovered some dismembered body parts inside a plastic bag, while other body parts were found inside a maize meal bag,' says Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli. He adds that preliminary investigations suggest the suspect and the victim were engaged in an argument when the man was stabbed with a knife. It is believed the woman dismembered the victim's body with the hope of hiding the body parts. The woman faces charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Eyewitness News
Civil lobby group MACUA criticised for targeting illegal miners not buyers of illicit materials
JOHANNESBURG - Civil lobby group Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) has been criticised for only targeting illegal miners and not the buyers of illicit minerals. On Wednesday, the group marched to the offices of the Department of Mineral Resources in five different provinces. Part of their demands to the government is the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale farming. MACUA criticised Operation Vala Umgodi as inhumane. Operation Vala Umgodi is a police strategy to deal with illegal mining by closing the access to the mines and forcing the illegal miners out. However, MACUA's Sabelo Mnguni said police must take into account that the majority of illegal miners are desperate, unemployed young people. 'The concern that we are having is we are only seeing the zama zama's or the workers, those who are underground or undocumented. We haven't seen any arrests in the supply chain itself. We want it to cut across, including the kingpins.' Police have previously mentioned they have a multi-disciplinary approach to illegal mining, with the Hawks responsible for catching the buyers of illicit minerals.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Farm murder accused forced to feed women's bodies to pigs discharged
The court will detemine if the state witness is telling the truth. One of the three men accused of killing two women and throwing their bodies in a pigsty in Limpopo has been 'discharged' until the trial, where he will be testifying as a state witness. Limpopo pig farmer Zackariah Olivier, his co-accused Rudolph de Wet, and Zimbabwean national William Musoro returned to the Polokwane High Court on Monday. Trial National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi told The Citizen the murder case was postponed to 6 to 17 October 2025 for trial. 'Zackariah Olivier and William Musoro have been remanded in custody, while Rudolph de Wet has been discharged. 'In terms of Section 204 [Criminal Procedures Act], we will determine if he tells the truth about what happened. If he is telling the truth, he will be released. If not, he will be remanded back into custody and face trial,' Malabi said. Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act of South Africa allows a witness, who may be implicated in a crime, to testify against other accused persons in exchange for potential indemnity from prosecution. Feeding bodies to pigs During the brief proceedings earlier this month, the 20-year-old De Wet, a supervisor on the farm, turned state witness and testified that Olivier shot and killed the two women. De Wet is expected to testify that he was 'under duress' when he was forced to throw their bodies into the pig enclosure, which the animals fed on, according to his lawyer and the state prosecutor. Charges against De Wet are expected to be dropped when he begins his testimony as a state witness. ALSO READ: Pig farm murder case in Limpopo set for trial in August Charges The 50-year-old Musora and the 60-year-old Olivier have yet to enter a plea and remain behind bars. Olivier, De Wet and Musora are facing two counts of murder, attempted murder, defeating the administration of justice, possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. Musora, who is a Zimbabwean national, faces an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act. Murder Olivier, De Wet and Musora are accused of killing Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu before dumping their bodies in a pigsty at Onvervaght farm in Sebayeng, outside Polokwane, in August. It is the state's case that Makgato and Ndlovu went to the farm to collect expired food that the pigs were eating. They were then allegedly fatally shot and dumped into the pigsty, where the animals consumed their bodies. ALSO READ: Limpopo pigsty murders: Two accused abandon bid for bail
