Midnight stop on the N12 exposes Mpumalanga’s unwrought gold trade

A routine patrol that turned serious

It was just after midnight when a routine police patrol under a bridge near the Delmas off-ramp on the N12 took an unexpected turn. Officers noticed a white Toyota Fortuner with no registration plates, a detail that immediately raised red flags along one of Mpumalanga’s busiest freight routes.

When police stopped and searched the vehicle, they uncovered unwrought gold hidden inside a white plastic bag, later valued at an estimated R800,000. What began as a standard patrol quickly escalated into a case touching on illegal mining, cross-border crime and bribery.

Who was arrested and why

According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, three Mozambican nationals aged between 24 and 34 were arrested at the scene. They face charges relating to the possession of unwrought gold and for failing to produce valid documents allowing them to be in South Africa.

Unwrought gold raw or semi-processed gold that has not been refined into bars or jewellery, is tightly regulated under South African law. Authorities link it closely to illegal mining operations, commonly referred to as zama zamas, which continue to plague parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

A bribery attempt at the police station

The situation didn’t end on the roadside. At around 2am, while the suspects were being processed at Delmas police station, a 27-year-old Zimbabwean national allegedly approached one of the officers.

Police say he offered R5,000 in an attempt to secure the release of the three men, claiming they were his brothers. Instead, he was immediately arrested and charged with bribing a police officer, bringing the total number of suspects to four.

All four are expected to appear before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on 15 December 2025.

Why this matters in Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga has long been a hotspot for illegal precious metals trading, with major routes like the N12 frequently used to move illicit goods between provinces and across borders. The seizure has sparked discussion online, with social media users praising police vigilance while others called for tougher action against syndicates believed to operate behind the scenes.

Police send a festive season warning

Acting provincial commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi commended the officers involved, describing the operation as a clear example of proactive policing.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who break the law are brought to book,” he said, urging communities to work with police, especially during the festive season when crime traditionally spikes.

For residents and commuters alike, the message is clear: even a routine stop can disrupt a far bigger criminal chain  and Mpumalanga police are watching.