Operation Prosper: 30 arrested, haul of mining gear seized in West Rand

Police and the military arrested 30 suspects in Mohlakeng on Monday, 07 September 2026, as part of Operation Prosper, seizing a large quantity of illegal mining equipment in a coordinated West Rand operation.

Who was arrested and why

According to South African Police Service (Saps) spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, the suspects are aged between 25 and 43 and come from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa. They were detained on allegations that include illegal mining, possession of illegal mining equipment and contravention of the Immigration Act.

Equipment recovered

Authorities recovered a range of items they say are linked to illegal mining. The list of seized goods includes 44 generators, pendukas, jackhammers, spades, stamps, stamp pots, drill bits, water pumps, detonating cords and explosives.

Related recoveries

In a separate incident the day before, on Sunday, 06 September 2026, the operation team recovered 21 abandoned generators and eight jackhammers in Mohlakeng. Saps said the equipment is believed to be linked to illegal mining activities in the area.

Next steps

Captain Sibeko said the arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Randfontein Magistrate’s Court soon and added that the investigation is continuing.

“Operation Prosper continues to focus on disrupting and dismantling illegal mining activities. The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Randfontein Magistrate’s Court soon,” Sibeko said.

Wider enforcement and environmental concerns

Separately, Mpumalanga environmental law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders are engaged in efforts to fight illegal mining that is affecting heritage and sensitive environments, the province’s MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Brenda Moeketsi, said during a question-and-answer session in the provincial legislature.

Moeketsi told legislators that illegal mining is destroying agricultural land, heritage sites and damaging wetlands and other sensitive environments. The article notes that in 2021 Makhonjwa Mountain was declared a World Heritage Site and that some historic sites, including the town of Pilgrim’s Rest, have been negatively impacted by illegal mining.