Suspected illegal miners arrested in Fochville during raid

Suspected illegal miners arrested in Fochville after a pre-dawn raid saw 121 people taken into custody and five firearms recovered, as police and soldiers intensified efforts against illegal mining on Gauteng’s West Rand, Joburg Etc reports.

According to SAPS and the Operation Prosper/Karabo operation began at about 03:00 on Tuesday, 29 September, with SANDF members securing Mphahla village before SAPS, the Hawks, Home Affairs immigration officers and Sibanye-Stillwater’s tactical security team moved in.

Firearms and mining equipment recovered

Police recovered three pistols, an AK-47 and a homemade firearm, along with ammunition, phendukas, gas bottles and gold-bearing material, according to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.

Authorities said the raid forms part of a wider crackdown on illegal mining and associated criminal activity across Gauteng.

‘Operation Prosper continues to target illegal mining activities and associated criminality in Gauteng,’ the SANDF said in its update.

The operation comes as the West Rand remains a major focus of illegal-minining enforcement. The Minerals Council South Africa says many thousands of people are estimated to be involved in illegal mining, while researcher David van Wyk estimates more than 34,000 irregular miners operate nationally.

Residents are urged to avoid abandoned shafts and suspected illegal mining sites, where unstable ground, explosives and armed activity can pose serious risks.