Nationwide Vala Umgodi Operations continue its relentless efforts to combat illegal mining and associated criminal activities across the country. This week’s operations, carried out between 16 June 2025 to 22 June 2025, led to the arrest of 142 suspects of different nationalities.
These suspects were arrested for illegal mining related offences and various other crimes that include, among others; trespassing, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of unpolished diamonds, unlawful possession of explosives, contravention of Immigration Act and drug trafficking.
In addition, police made several notable arrests and confiscated large quantities of gold bearing material in the past week.
In a series of targeted interventions, Operation Vala Umgodi teams successfully apprehended 130 undocumented foreigners directly involved in illicit mining activities and related offences across Free State province. Police actions also led to the seizures of substantial quantities of gold-bearing material and equipment crucial to these illegal activities.
Among various items seized during this week’s VALA UMGODI operations include:
▶️ 3 unlicensed firearms;
▶️ 16 rounds of ammunition;
▶️ 1 vehicle
Vala Umgodi operation’s successes were particularly evident in the following provinces:
Northern Cape: On 17 June 2025, members executed intelligence-driven operation and arrested fifteen suspects for contravention of the Immigration Act, illegal mining activities and possession of suspected unpolished diamonds in Koingnaas and Beefmaster illegal mining camp, respectively. The team seized unpolished diamonds and a significant quantity of dagga.
Free State: On 19 June 2025, four suspects were arrested for trespassing, contravention of the Immigration Act. One suspect was also arrested for the possession of unlicensed firearm, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) uniform, dagga and suspected gold bearing material. The team also arrested three suspects aged between 45 and 32 years, after being found in possession of gold-bearing material at Theunissen. Police also seized packaged and sealed food items destined for underground, along with explosive detonators
Gauteng: An intelligence driven disruptive Operation Vala Umgodi conducted at Clovedene Informal Settlement in Crystal Park, Ekurhuleni, led to the arrest of eight illegal foreign nationals and suspected illegal miners. Police confiscated equipment used for illegal mining activities.
Limpopo: On 17 June 2025, the Sekhukhune District’s Operation Vala Umgodi team apprehended nine suspects aged between 22 and 44 years for illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act. Several items include three wheelbarrows, a generator, a jackhammer, two shovels, three chezels, and bottles of petrol were confiscated.
KwaZulu-Natal: On 17 June 2025, a 40-year-old Sydwell Shane Mkhantswa appeared briefly in the Kwa-Mbonambi Periodical Court in connection with a case of theft of minerals over R800 000 from Richards Bay Minerals (RBM). Further investigation linked the suspect with another Kwa-Mbonambi case of theft minerals in which he allegedly delivered RBM minerals to Isiphingo in Durban where police found over R24 million worth of suspected stolen minerals.
Operation Vala Umgodi remains committed to dismantling illegal mining syndicates, and ensuring law and order to the affected provinces as well as safeguarding the country’s mineral resources.