195 Arrested in Free State Police Crackdown on Crime and Illegal Mining

The Free State police have made a major breakthrough in combating crime, corruption, and illegal mining through Operation Vala Umgodi, with 195 suspects arrested over the past weekend in a series of coordinated raids across the province. The multi-disciplinary operation, conducted in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and mine security units, targeted illicit activities ranging from drug trafficking to contraventions of immigration laws.

Widespread Arrests Across Multiple Offences

The suspects face charges that include:

• Bribery and corruption

• Possession of drugs (including mandrax, crystal meth, and rock cocaine)

• Trespassing

• Possession of illicit cigarettes

• Contravention of the Immigration Act

• Possession of gold-bearing material

• Illicit mining

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the crackdown formed part of broader efforts to restore law and order in areas heavily affected by organised crime, illegal immigration, and illegal mining syndicates.

Raids in Virginia and Meloding

On Sunday morning, Vala Umgodi operatives, working alongside Home Affairs officials, conducted intensive searches in Virginia and Meloding. A salon raid resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old undocumented woman, while two others were detained for fraudulent documentation.

Police then searched adjoining sleeping quarters, where they discovered narcotics with an estimated street value of R150 000. Three suspects, aged between 24 and 36, including two foreign nationals and a female, were arrested for drug possession and contravening immigration laws.

In a separate sweep in Meloding, two more undocumented foreign nationals were arrested inside tuck shops. In total, seven suspects were arrested in Virginia and Meloding alone, facing charges related to drugs and immigration violations.

Clampdown on Illegal Mining

Police also targeted illegal mining operations, a persistent challenge in the Free State’s gold belt. In one operation, a proactive team deployed to a mine arrested three undocumented men actively engaged in illicit mining activities. Authorities confiscated quantities of suspected gold-bearing material.

On 16 August, in another mine-related operation in Virginia, police in collaboration with mine security arrested three suspects aged 28 to 37. They were found inside mine premises with gold-bearing material and illegal gold-processing equipment, further underscoring the extent of the province’s illegal mining networks.

Broader Operations in Viljoenskroon, Hoopstad, and Ventersburg

Two operational teams, VOC 1 and VOC 2, conducted disruptive operations in Viljoenskroon and Hoopstad, arresting 12 undocumented foreign nationals from tuck shops. A 45-year-old foreign national was also arrested after being found with illicit cigarettes in his shop.

In Ventersburg, police arrested a foreign national hitchhiking along the N1 highway to Cape Town. The suspect not only faced immigration charges but also an additional corruption charge after he attempted to bribe police officers with R500.

Sustained Crackdown Across Lejweleputswa

The arrests form part of continuous police efforts in Lejweleputswa District and surrounding municipalities. The region, long plagued by illicit mining and transnational crime, has been a focus area for Operation Vala Umgodi, a coordinated initiative designed to disrupt illegal networks and restore community safety.

Police have confirmed that all suspects are set to appear in their respective magistrates’ courts in the coming days.

A Growing Fight Against Illegal Mining and Immigration

Illegal mining, often linked to organised crime and cross-border syndicates, has posed an increasing challenge to South Africa’s law enforcement and economy. Beyond the environmental destruction caused by unregulated mining, the associated crimes—drug dealing, bribery, and illegal immigration—strain already vulnerable communities.

The Free State operation demonstrates a multi-agency approach to tackling these issues, with police, Home Affairs, and mine security working in close collaboration. Authorities have promised that more operations will follow, aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates and reclaiming affected areas for legitimate development.