Operation Vala Umgodi Leads To 420 Arrests In Gauteng, Disrupting Illegal Mining

Operation Vala Umgodi, a multidisciplinary initiative focused on disrupting and destroying illegal mining activities, has had significant results in Gauteng. Between December 1, 2024, and February 11, 2025, police arrested 420 illegal miners. The people in question face charges for violent crimes such as attempted murder, illegal firearm possession, explosives possession, and drug dealing.

Collaborative Effort

The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) specialised units, such as the Tactical Response Team, National Intervention Unit, Public Order Police, Visible Policing, Crime Intelligence, and Criminal Record & Crime Scene Management, collaborate with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and others. This cooperation aims to disrupt and destroy illegal mining activities in the province.

Seizures and Demolitions

To prevent another round of illegal operations, the team seized equipment used by illegal miners and demolished illegal structures that housed them. On February 8, 2025, police in Carletonville recovered four unlicensed firearms and a large amount of ammunition during the operation. They also seized two vehicles suspected of being involved in illegal mining.

Appraisals

Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, praised the multidisciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi team for their efforts. Mthombeni expressed his satisfaction with the teamwork and the favourable results. He stressed his resolve to maintain these disruptive operations for as long as illegal mining exists.

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Addressing Illegal Immigration

In addition to cracking down on illegal mining, Gauteng police have arrested over 10,000 illegal immigrants in different operations. This project tries to minimise the number of illegal immigrants entering the province.

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