Illegal miners face deportation from South Africa

South Africa has arrested over 400 illegal miners, including Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals, during a large-scale operation targeting illicit artisanal mining activities across the country. The South African Police Services (SAPS) confirmed that 427 suspects were apprehended during the ongoing operation, code-named ValaUmgodi, which began on May 19, 2025. The suspects face numerous charges, including illegal mining, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, drug possession, and motor vehicle theft.

Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk of SAPS stated that many arrests were made during operations at informal settlements such as Bonnet, with authorities seizing 12 unlicensed firearms, over 500 rounds of ammunition, and seven vehicles including sedans and trucks.

In the Free State province, joint policing efforts led to the arrest of 16 suspects on charges related to illegal mining. Meanwhile, in Gauteng, a raid at Protea Mine in Magaliesburg resulted in 40 arrests for illegal mining as well as possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and illegal mining equipment such as generators and drills. Immigration violations were also noted among the charges.

In KwaZulu-Natal, two suspected cash-in-transit robbers were fatally shot during a confrontation with police near Wasbank, Ladysmith. These suspects were wanted in connection with at least six CIT robbery incidents across the province from June 2022 to March 2025.

Operations in Limpopo saw the arrest of 161 undocumented foreign nationals in the Sekhukhune district, particularly in Groblersdal and Marble Hall. The North West province recorded 91 arrests connected to illegal mining activities during operations between May 13 and 19.

Lieutenant Colonel van Wyk also noted the judicial outcomes of recent cases, revealing that six illegal miners were each sentenced to six months in prison by the Graskop Magistrates' Court. These individuals will be deported after serving their sentences.

The SAPS emphasized that illegal mining is a serious crime contributing to broader economic and social problems in South Africa. Operation ValaUmgodi is the government's decisive response to dismantling illicit mining networks and restoring law and order across the seven hotspot provinces: Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and North West.

Authorities are urging communities to assist law enforcement by reporting illegal mining activities to help curb this escalating issue that threatens the country's safety and economy.