Johannesburg: Nationwide Vala Umgodi operations conducted during April led to the arrest of 1,857 suspects of different nationalities. These suspects were arrested for illegal mining-related offenses and various other crimes such as murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives, and possession of counterfeit goods, the South African Police Service (SAPS) stated on Tuesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, more than 100 unpolished diamonds were seized during three separate Vala Umgodi operations in and around Kleinzee, Port Nolloth, and Northern Cape, leading to the arrest of 15 illegal miners. Other items seized during April 2025 include 27 unlicensed firearms, 385 rounds of ammunition, and 71 vehicles, including sedans, bakkies, trucks, big mining machinery, trailers, and tractors. Additionally, 341 phendukas and six phenduka stands were confiscated.
In the Free State, the SAPS Bomb Disposal and Explosive Experts, with support from a private security company, seized 290 detonators allegedly abandoned by illegal underground miners at Kopanong mine. On 21 April 2025, an intelligence-driven operation in Gauteng’s Primrose and Rietvlei resulted in the arrest of 10 illegal miners. A joint operation at Marathon/Rasta informal settlement in Primrose led to the arrest of eight individuals found in possession of various equipment, including phendukas, steel balls, gas cylinders, and generators. Two suspects were also found with unlicensed firearms and live ammunition.
In KwaZulu-Natal, an intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of five suspects found with R1.5 million worth of Eskom property near Empangeni and Mtunzini policing precincts on 06 April 2025. A Vala Umgodi operation in Limpopo resulted in the arrest of 69 illegal miners and undocumented foreign nationals in Sekhukhune, Vhembe, Mopani, and Capricorn Districts from 12 to 13 April 2025, with various illegal mining equipment seized.
On 26 April 2025, the Vala Umgodi team in Mpumalanga arrested 38 suspects during a disruptive operation at Simile informal settlement in Sabie and Skoonplaas informal settlement in Pilgrims Rest. In the North West, 21 accused appeared in Brits and Mogwase Magistrates’ Courts on 24 April 2025 for contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002. These suspects were apprehended during operations on 23 and 24 April 2025 in Witrandjie village near Sun City and Majakaneng village outside Brits. Three were found guilty by the Brits Magistrate’s Court and sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine, with deportation orders.
Operation Vala Umgodi is the government’s response to prevent and combat illegal mining activities in the country. Since its inception in December 2023, over 20,000 suspects have been arrested, and more than 600 firearms, including imitation firearms and 14,000 rounds of ammunition, have been seized.