Illegal miners and copper cable thieves had another bad day as 🇿🇦Operation PROSPER continued to tighten the net around criminal activities in the Lejweleputswa District.
Members of Alpha Company, 1 Special Service Battalion, working alongside the South African Police Service and Mine Security, conducted a series of operations at Allanridge and Virginia, resulting in the arrest of three suspects linked to illegal mining activities.
At Allanridge, soldiers apprehended a South African male found in possession of 6.74 kilograms of gold-bearing material valued at approximately R 15 259.00. His luck quickly ran out as he was arrested and handed over to the police.
Meanwhile, in Virginia, security forces conducted operations at Harmony 3 and Harmony Country Club, where two Lesotho nationals were arrested. One suspect was caught with gold-bearing material and is facing charges related to illegal mining, while the other was arrested for allegedly stealing copper cable and trespassing.
All suspects, together with the recovered exhibits, were handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation and processing.
Operation PROSPER continues to send a clear message to those involved in illegal mining and related crimes: the law is closing in, and there is nowhere to hide.
Article and Photographs by Second Lieutenant Sfiso Nyathi and Company Communication Officer || 1 Special Service Battalion.
#SANDF
#JointOperationsDivision
Illegal Miners Out of Luck as Security Forces Make More Arrests in Lejweleputswahttps://t.co/hEDTJ3AQ1w#ArriveAlive #IllegalMining @SAPoliceService @SANDF_ZA pic.twitter.com/7RsysoMz9X
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 24, 2026
