Pretoria – The South African Police Service (SAPS) says its Vala Umgodi operations, to combat illegal mining and related crimes, have led to the arrest of 215 suspects in just one week.
These suspects, including foreign nationals, were arrested between 18 and 24 August 2025 for several illegal mining-related offences and other serious crimes, including:
- unlawful possession of explosives,
- unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms,
- illegal possession of gold-bearing material,
- illegal possession of precious metals,
- possession of gold processing equipment and
- contravention of the SA Immigration Act
In addition, members deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi secured yet another effective jail sentence for the two Mozambican nationals.
On 20 August 2025, the Polokwane Regional Court sentenced a 28-year-old Adam Sithole and 22-year-old Musa Mlambo to ten (10) years direct imprisonment each after they were convicted on charges relating to unlawful mining and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Mukhathi said several items were seized during Vala Umgodi operations over the past week, including:
- 2 unlicensed firearms
- 3 vehicles (2 bakkies and 1 truck)
Highlights of Vala uMgodi Operations across the country
Gauteng – members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi in Gauteng conducted an operation targeting illegal mining activities in the Benoni policing precinct, Ekurhuleni District.
The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects for illegal mining and illegal immigration.
During the operation, the police seized a significant amount of equipment and materials, including pendukas, gas bottles, oxygen bottles, steel pots, stampers, spades, shovels, pangas, steel balls, gold-bearing material, electric cords, plastic basins, a crusher machine, pickaxes, drive belts, and grinders.
Free State – Vala Umgodi multidisciplinary teams conducted a series of successful operations resulting in the arrest of several individuals for various offences, including contravention of the Immigration Act, illegal mining, and possession of illicit gold processing equipment.
On 19 August 2025, members of Operation Vala Umgodi, in collaboration with mine security in Virginia, arrested a 38-year-old male engaged in illegal mining activities on the mine premises.
The suspect was found in possession of gold-bearing material and illicit mining equipment.
In Thabong, operatives arrested a foreign national near Moeletsi Hostel, handling gas hose pipes in muddy water.
The team seized a 200kg black oxygen cylinder, a 9kg silver gas cylinder, and various gas pipes and nozzles.
The suspect was arrested for the possession of gold processing equipment.
Members of the combat team, in collaboration with mine security, conducted a disruptive operation at an old shaft near Virginia, resulting in the arrest of five suspects, aged between 32 and 59.
They were arrested for illegal mining, contravention of the Immigration Act, possession of possible gold-bearing material, and gold processing equipment.
On the same day, members acting on intelligence-led information arrested two males, aged 32 and 44, in Welkom.
The team seized a suspected gold processing equipment.
They also proceeded to K10 informal settlement in Odendaalrus, where a 33-year-old illegal foreign national was found in possession of gold processing equipment and a two-way radio and arrested at the scene.
Northern Cape – On 23 August 2025, the SAPS Combat and Proactive teams in the Namakwa and Frances Baard Districts conducted Vehicle Check Points (VCPs), regular patrols at illegal mining hot spots, and compliance inspections at mining sites, leading to the arrest of 20 suspects.
In the Frances Baard District, the team acting on intelligence arrested three suspects aged between 26 and 52 years for dealing in drugs in Barkly West and Kimberley.
During the operation, assisted by SAPS narcotics K9, premises were raided and drugs were found hidden in different locations inside the houses.
The team seized Tik and Mandrax.
Limpopo – The Mopani District Operation Vala Umgodi task team conducted an intelligence-led operation and arrested three suspected illegal miners at Mavalani village on 19 August 2025.
The team seized illicit mining equipment, including 2 gas cylinders, 10 iron balls, 3 hammers, 3 picks, 2 shovels, a panga, 3 penduka motors, 19 bags of minerals, 3 pendukas, 1 iron bar, 3 fan belts, 2 gold scales, and a wheelbarrow.
North West – Vala Umgodi team deployed in the Bojanala Platinum District arrested 27 suspects during an operation conducted in the district.
The team seized numerous mining equipment, including jack hammers, drill bits, generators, 13.75 kg of gold-bearing material, and pendukas.
Operation Vala Umgodi is a testament to the government’s commitment to combating these criminal networks and protecting the country’s mineral resources.
