The South African Police Service (SAPS) operation known as “Vala Umgodi,” aimed at combating illegal mining activities within the country, continues to demonstrate significant success in the North West’s mining areas of Bojanala Platinum and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. Provincial authorities reported the arrest of approximately six illegal miners, who are also undocumented foreign nationals, on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Hartbeespoort Dam for engaging in illegal mining and violating Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002.
Colonel Adéle Myburgh, spokesperson for the North West police, indicated that the individuals apprehended are all males aged between 28 and 55, hailing from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi. During the operation, various tools believed to have been utilised in the illegal mining activities were confiscated. Myburgh highlighted that “items such as jackhammers, shovels, generators, gold-bearing material, and explosives were seized.”
Additionally, she reported that 12 illegal miners were arrested for illegal mining, trespassing, and violations of the Immigration Act in Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp, from December 30, 2024, to the present day.
“Six illegal miners reappeared in Stilfontein at the Margaret shaft on Monday, and on Thursday, January 2, 2025, four more were found at the Margaret Shaft, while two were located at Buffelsfontein Shaft No. 10,” stated Myburgh.
All suspects are scheduled to appear in the Brits and Stilfontein Magistrates’ Courts today. Major General Patrick Asaneng, the Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, praised the team for their unwavering commitment to addressing illegal mining activities.
Since October, over 1,500 illegal miners have emerged from an abandoned mine in Stilfontein, with three fatalities reported.
