PICS | Over 1,000 undocumented miners nabbed in Mpumalanga blitz!

Miners

Barberton, Mpumalanga – South African Police Service (SAPS) officials have apprehended over 1,000 suspected illegal immigrants at a mine in Barberton during a large-scale crackdown on illicit mining activities, police confirmed on Friday, 1 August 2025.

The arrests form part of Operation Vala Umgodi, a week-long coordinated effort launched on Monday, 28 July 2025, involving multiple units of law enforcement, including the National Roving Team, K9 Unit, Task Force, Proactive and Combat teams, and private security company Vukalanga Security.

According to SAPS provincial spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the suspects — most of whom are believed to be undocumented foreign nationals — were flushed out as police intensified their efforts to curb illegal mining in the region. Some of those arrested are suspected to be minors, prompting authorities to involve the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Minerals and Energy for further investigation.

“Approximately 1,000 (or even more) illegal immigrants were apprehended… due to pressure by the law enforcement agencies, which led to the illegal miners resurfacing,” said Brigadier Mdhluli in a media statement.

“The nationalities of the arrested suspects remain to be established.”

Police say the suspects could face charges under the Immigration Act, as well as for trespassing and illegal mining. Additional charges may follow as investigations continue. Officials from the National Prosecuting Authority have also been roped in as the legal process unfolds.

Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, hailed the operation as a major breakthrough in addressing criminal activity in Barberton, which has been flagged as a hotspot for illegal mining.

“Barberton has been giving us a challenge in terms of crime,” said Mkhwanazi. “We previously made a commitment to heighten our visibility in the area… We are not reluctant when a person is found on the wrong side of the law, we arrest, end of the story.”

Mkhwanazi also thanked the mine’s management for its cooperation, which he said was crucial to the success of the operation.

The arrested suspects are expected to appear in court in the coming days.

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