Nationwide Vala Umgodi operations executed to combat and dismantle illegal mining as well as associated criminal activities across the country led to the arrest of 999 suspects of different nationalities in the month of July 2025.
These suspects were arrested for illegal mining related offences and various other serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, theft of minerals, unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful possession of gold, contravention of Immigration Act and possession of suspected stolen property.
The month-long operations targeted illicit activities across multiple provinces, with enforcement actions resulting in significant seizures of unpolished diamonds, gold bearing material, chrome, firearms, explosives, and mining equipment.
Furthermore, on 23 July 2025, members of the National Roving team and K9 Unit deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi in Mpumalanga arrested suspects aged between 20 and 36 years for illegal possession of explosives and gold bearing processing equipment, as well as gold bearing material worth R300 000. During the operation, the team seized illicit mining equipment, including gas cylinders, oxygen cylinders, explosives, gold bearing material, and other items.
SAPS members deployed in the seven provinces as part of OPERATION VALA UMGODI also prevent and combat crimes, which are not directly related to illicit mining activities.
Amongst some of the items seized during VALA UMGODI operations in July include:
28 unlicensed firearms;
787 rounds of ammunition;
42 vehicles that include 11 sedans, 7 bakkies, 20 trucks, 1 minibus, and 3 TLBs
220 pendukas
57 generators
Highlights of VALA UMGODI successes for the month of July 2025 include:
GAUTENG: On 29 July 2025, Operation Vala Umgodi team in conjunction with the National Intervention Unit (NIU) executed intelligence -led information and arrested a Lesotho national at the Angelo Informal Settlement, Ekurhuleni, for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The suspect was also believed to be an illegal miner. Preliminary investigation revealed that the firearm was reported stolen in Bloemfontein, Free State Province. The suspect was arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
FREE STATE: Between 21 and 28 July 2025, Vala Umgodi teams carried out operations leading to the arrest of 169 suspects across the Free State Province. These operations targeted several identified hotspots notorious for illegal mining activities across the province, including disused shafts and illegal processing sites. This includes roadblocks, stop and searches, as well as intelligence led operations. The suspects, aged between 18- and 52 years, face charges including illegal mining, contravention of the Immigration Act, possession of suspected stolen property, Contravention of the Mine Health and Safety Act and possession of illicit cigarettes. During the intelligence-driven raids, police also seized a substantial amount of equipment used for illegal mining operations, including shovels, picks, phendukas (gold processing machines), gas cylinders and various gold-bearing materials.
LIMPOPO: 11 July 2025, the Sekhukhune District Vala Umgodi Task Team conducted a series of targeted operations and arrested suspects aged 30 and 37 years actively loading minerals suspected to be chrome at Spitskop. In a separate operation conducted in Steelpoort, the team spotted a side tipper truck loaded with minerals believed to be chrome and arrested three suspects for illegal transportation of minerals. They also arrested a 30-year-old driver after failing to produce valid documents permitting him to transport such minerals, leading to charges of illegal transportation of chrome.
MPUMALANGA: The hard work by members deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi paid off when seven illegal immigrants aged between 21 and 38 years were each sentenced to 06 months imprisonment, during their appearance at the Pilgrim’s Rest Periodical Court and Graskop Magistrates’ Court in June 2025 and July 2025 and 09 July 2025. After serving their sentence, they will be deported back to their respective countries of origin.
NORTHERN CAPE: On 20 July 2025, proactive and combat teams deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi in the Northern Cape, conducted intelligence-driven operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects aged between 25 and 38 years for illegal mining and possession of unpolished diamonds. In a separate enforcement operation at illegal mining hotspots in the Kleinzee area, members of Operation Vala Umgodi, in collaboration with a private mine Security Company, acted on information about alleged illegal mining at a mine and arrested a 38-year-old for possession of suspected diamond-bearing gravel, which was subsequently confiscated.
KWAZULU-NATAL: Members of Operation Vala Umgodi arrested three suspected rhino poachers aged between 33 and 40 years in the northern KwaZulu-Natal, on 24 July 2025. They intercepted the suspects’ vehicle on the R66 road en-route from Hluhluwe to a game farm in the Magudu area, reportedly to poach rhinos. A hunting rifle with a silencer, seven rounds of ammunition, and a licensed pistol were seized.
To date, a total of 28 786 suspects have been arrested while 744 firearms, that include imitation firearms (toy guns), and 17 333 rounds of ammunition have been seized through OPERATION VALA UMGODI since December 2023.
Vala Umgodi Operation is government’s initiative to combat illegal mining across the country through coordinated law enforcement actions to protect communities and mineral resources.
