Nationwide Vala Umgodi operations to combat and prevent illegal mining and associated criminal activities successfully led to the arrest of 388 suspects of different nationalities from 01 July 2025 to 13 July 2025.
These suspects were arrested for illegal mining related offences and various other serious crimes such as unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of firearms, possession of suspected stolen property and unlawful possession of gold bearing material.
Moreover, the operations targeted illicit activities in Limpopo saw members of Mopani District Vala Umgodi Task Team successfully dismantled an illegal gold processing operation in Thabine Village, Tzaneen, on 12 July 2025. The team acting on credible intelligence information uncovered unlawful gold processing operation at a local residence. Members apprehended the property owner, while one suspect fled the scene.
A thorough search of the premises and surrounding areas resulted in the seizure of a significant cache of illicit mining and processing equipment, include two generators, 21 steel marbles, two spades, two hammers, two picks, an iron bar, processing steel bed material, and eleven bags of suspected precious minerals.
Amongst some of the items seized during VALA UMGODI operations over the past weeks include:
▶️ 4 unlicensed firearms;
▶️ 36 rounds of ammunition;
▶️ 7 vehicles that include sedans, bakkies, and 13 trucks as well as 2 TLBs
▶️ 166 pendukas
▶️ 43 generators
Other highlights of VALA UMGODI successes per province are the following:
Gauteng: 07 July 2025, Vala Umgodi members conducted an intelligence-driven operation at Angelo Informal settlement in Boksburg, targeting illegal mining activities. Six suspects, aged between 18 and 27 years, apprehended for contravening the Mineral Act 28 of 2002 and Immigration Act. The suspects were found in possession of various items, including pendukas, generators, steel balls, steel pots, oxygen cylinders, gas cylinders, and stampers.
Free State: Vala Umgodi teams in collaboration with the mine security, carried out a number of proactive and intelligence-led operations across the province, leading to the arrest of 87 illegal foreign nationals and confiscation of firearms, and mining equipment. The team further conducted a raid at G Hostel in Thabong and arrested five suspects aged between 27 and 29 years for possession of unlicensed firearms. They seized a revolver, a British .303 rifle and one pistol as well as ammunition. One suspect was arrested for the possession of gold bearing material.
Limpopo: On 08 July 2025, police officially disposed of confiscated and abandoned illegal mining equipment seized during the ongoing Vala Umgodi operations in Burgersfort at the local scrap metal yard in Steelpoort A total of 50 generators, 40 jackhammers, 15 picks, 35 shovels and spades, and 30 wheelbarrows were crushed into pieces to prevent any possibility of re-entry into illegal mining activities.
Northern Cape: On 09 July 2025, a joint intelligence-driven operation conducted by Vala Umgodi members and Ekapa Mine Security led to the arrest of 15 suspects aged between 20 and 48 years for contravening immigration legislation and engaging in illegal mining activities in the Francis Baard District. The team also arrested a 23-year-old suspect for illegal mining in the Samaria area.
Mpumalanga: Members deployed for Vala Umgodi Operation continue to make an impact in the fight against illegal mining led to the arrest of three suspects aged between 27 and 33 years foreign nationals in Sabie on 11 July 2025. The combat and proactive members, while conducting a disruptive operation, spotted the suspects allegedly engaged in illicit mining activities and arrested them. The team also confiscated shovels and picks.
North West: The police through Operation Vala Umgodi, have managed to stabilise the situation in the gold mining sector in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district, North West province. Recently, incidents of illegal mining for chrome and associated crimes being reported in other districts and parts of the province such as Mooinooi, Tlhatlaganye, Tweelagte, Witrandjie and Masebudule outside as Mooinooi, Tlhatlaganye, Tweelagte, Witrandjie and Masebudule outside Zeerust .
Vala Umgodi Operation is steadfast to continue its aggressive and bold approach to combating and dismantling illegal mining operations across the country, protecting both the communities and country’s economy.
