Operation Vala Umgodi in the West Rand District resulted in the arrest of 16 suspected illegal miners

The multi-disciplinary illegal mining operation “Vala Umgodi” continue to make inroads in disrupting and dismantling illegal mining activities in the province as sixteen suspected illegal miners were arrested.

The integrated operation between SAPS, SANDF, EMPD and Department of Home Affairs was conducted simultaneously on Wednesday 28 February 2024, at West Rand and Ekurhuleni Districts.

In Crystal Park at Ekurhuleni, the team arrested five people believed to be illegal miners and 27 undocumented persons.

While in Krugersdorp and Kagiso at West, the law enforcement agencies arrested 11 people for suspected illegal mining and seven undocumented people.

Both teams seized illegal mining tools such as explosives, detonator cords, generators, phendukas, crush pots, spades, hammers and bags of gold bearing material.

Police and community relations is key to fighting illegal mining hence the public is urged to report these illegal activities to their nearest police station or on the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be reported via MySAPS App.