SAPS Operation Vala Umgodi Nets 239 Arrests in National Anti-Illegal Mining Blitz

The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Operation Vala Umgodi has continued its unrelenting crackdown on illegal mining and associated crimes, with 239 suspects arrested between 1 and 15 June 2025. The coordinated operations—spanning multiple provinces—have targeted a web of illicit mining activities, immigration violations, and related criminal offences that plague South Africa’s mining communities.

According to SAPS, the charges against the arrested individuals range from illegal mining and unlawful possession of minerals to more serious crimes such as attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, contravention of immigration laws, and possession of unpolished diamonds and explosives.

Syndicate Suspect Linked to Theft Worth R24 Million Appears in Court

One high-profile arrest during the period was that of 42-year-old Sydwell Shane Mkhantswa, who appeared in the Kwa-Mbonambi Periodical Court in connection with the theft of minerals from Richards Bay Minerals (RBM). Mkhantswa had been on the run since March 2024, when police intercepted a truck in Kwa-Mbonambi transporting R800,000 worth of suspected stolen zircon from RBM.

Further investigations connected Mkhantswa to a separate case involving the illegal delivery of RBM minerals to Isiphingo, Durban, where police uncovered R24 million worth of stolen minerals. After months of tracing and intelligence work, Mkhantswa was finally arrested at a residence in Germiston, Gauteng, on 12 June 2025. He is set to appear in court again on 24 June 2025 for a formal bail application.

Weapons, Vehicles, and Minerals Seized in June Operations

The two-week blitz led to the recovery of a significant cache of contraband, including:

• Six unlicensed firearms

• 26 rounds of ammunition

• Four vehicles

• Large quantities of illegally mined ore and other contraband

These seizures further underscore the criminal infrastructure supporting illicit mining, from logistics and weapons to smuggling routes across provincial borders.

Provincial Highlights: Disruptions Across SA

Limpopo: On 13 June 2025, SAPS units raided illegal operations at Sefateng Chrome Mine and Bokone Platinum Mine, arresting four individuals and seizing a substantial quantity of chromite ore and mining equipment.

Free State: Officers intercepted a suspicious Toyota Quantum panel van en route from Gauteng to Cape Town. Inside, they discovered a consignment of Khat plants valued at R210,000. A 43-year-old man was arrested for drug possession and trafficking.

Northern Cape: On 6 June 2025, 11 suspects were apprehended in Kimberley and Kleinzee. Nine of them were found hiding at a Game Reserve Farm near Koingnaas, leading to their arrest for trespassing, possession of unpolished diamonds, and immigration violations.

Mpumalanga: A 30-year-old illegal miner was shot and injured during a confrontation with police in Sabie on 11 June. The suspect, initially hospitalized under police guard, has since been discharged and taken into custody.

Gauteng: A wanted suspect linked to previous police shootings in Zamimpilo Informal Settlement was fatally wounded during a shootout in Soul City Informal Settlement. A firearm was recovered and is undergoing ballistic testing to determine links to other crimes.

North West: A raid at Rocin Mine near Wolwerand on 5 June led to the seizure of an arsenal of illegal mining tools, including explosives, four generators, jackhammers, gas bottles, and gold-bearing materials.

National Impact of Vala Umgodi Since Launch

Since its inception in December 2023, Operation Vala Umgodi has dramatically altered the landscape of illegal mining enforcement in South Africa. To date, the operation has led to:

• Over 27,000 arrests

• Seizure of more than 600 firearms, including imitation weapons

• Confiscation of 16,000 rounds of ammunition

SAPS has emphasized the strategic importance of dismantling illegal mining networks, which not only exploit natural resources but also endanger public safety and contribute to environmental degradation.

SAPS Commitment to Community Safety and Resource Protection

“Through well-coordinated operations across the affected provinces, Operation Vala Umgodi continues to deliver decisive blows to the criminal elements entrenched in the illegal mining ecosystem,” said SAPS in an official statement. “Our work is not only about arresting suspects but also about safeguarding communities, protecting national assets, and restoring law and order in mining zones.”

With efforts intensifying, SAPS has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the operation across the most affected areas, working in collaboration with local and national stakeholders to ensure long-term success in eradicating illegal mining syndicates.