Foreign Nationals
By Lerato Mpembe
Twelve foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with illegal mining activities in the Free State, said the South African Police Service (SAPS). This follows a coordinated operation by the Mission Area Joint Operational Center (MAJOC) Roving team, which included combat operators, proactive members, and various participants of Operation Valu uMgodi. The arrests took place on Saturday in several hotspots across the province, where the suspects were caught red-handed with gold-bearing material and mining equipment. This operation is part of a broader effort to tackle the growing problem of illegal mining in South Africa, a challenge that threatens the economy, environment, and safety of communities.
The Free State, with its rich history of gold mining, has become a target for illegal miners, often called “zama zamas.” These individuals, many from neighbouring countries, risk their lives in dangerous conditions to extract precious minerals. The latest arrests highlight the SAPS’s commitment to rooting out this illegal activity, which costs the country billions of rands each year. As the suspects prepare to face justice, this operation shines a spotlight on the ongoing battle against illicit mining and its far-reaching consequences.
Illegal Mining: A Growing Crisis in South Africa
Illegal mining is not a new problem in South Africa, but it has grown into a major crisis over the years. Known locally as “zama zamas” – a Zulu term meaning “to try” or “to take a chance” – these miners operate outside the law, digging into abandoned mines or sneaking into active ones to extract gold, diamonds, and other valuable minerals. In the Free State, areas like Welkom and Virginia, once bustling with legal mining activity, are now hotspots for these illicit operations.
The economic damage is massive. The Chamber of Mines estimates that illegal mining costs South Africa billions of rands annually. This comes from stolen minerals, lost tax revenue, and the expense of repairing damaged infrastructure. Beyond money, the human cost is high. Zama zamas work in unsafe conditions, with no safety gear or proper ventilation. Collapses, fires, and gas leaks claim lives regularly. In 2023 alone, over 50 illegal miners died in a single incident in Gauteng when a shaft collapsed.
The environment suffers too. Illegal miners use harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide to process gold. These toxins seep into rivers and soil, poisoning water supplies and farmland. In the Free State, where farming is a key industry, this pollution threatens livelihoods and health. Communities near mining sites often report higher rates of illnesses, from skin rashes to breathing problems, linked to contaminated water.
Operation Valu uMgodi: South Africa’s Fightback
To tackle this crisis, the SAPS launched Operation Valu uMgodi – meaning “Close the Mine” – in December 2023. This nationwide campaign brings together police, soldiers, and special units to shut down illegal mining networks. It’s a big step up from past efforts, using modern tools like drones and intelligence to track and arrest those involved.
The operation has already made waves. In Limpopo, police arrested five people in Dennilton and Thohoyandou for illegal sand mining, seizing trucks and tools. In Mpumalanga, 14 suspects were nabbed in Sabie with ammunition and mining gear. These wins show that Operation Valu uMgodi is hitting illegal mining where it hurts, targeting not just the miners but the systems that support them.
In the Free State, the latest operation is another success story. The MAJOC Roving team, a key part of Valu uMgodi, used a mix of foot patrols, vehicle checks, and drone surveillance to catch the 12 suspects in action. This teamwork and technology are proving vital in the fight against a problem that’s tough to pin down.
Inside the Free State Bust: How It Went Down
The Free State operation was carefully planned to hit known trouble spots. On Saturday, the MAJOC Roving team swept through areas like the Stone and Allied area, Bambanani SS1 Slam Dam, Kudu Mine Shaft, Stilte Farm, and G-Hostel in Thabong Extension 4. These places have long been linked to illegal mining, with old mines and remote farms offering cover for zama zamas.
The team didn’t mess around. They used foot patrols to cover the ground, vehicle patrols to block escape routes, and drones to watch from above. Vehicle checkpoints added another layer, stopping suspects from slipping away. It was during these sweeps that they found the 12 foreign nationals hard at work, digging and processing gold.
“During the operation, the 12 foreign nationals were found in possession of gold bearing material weighing at 132.52 kilograms and gold processing equipment such as steel balls, garden spades, shovels, pick axes, steel plates, buckets and washing basins were all seized,” said the SAPS in a statement. That’s a huge haul – 132.52 kilograms of gold-bearing material could be worth a fortune on the black market. The equipment shows how serious these miners were, with tools designed to crush and sift through rock to get at the gold inside.
Who Are the Suspects?
The 12 arrested men are all foreign nationals, aged between 26 and 40. While the SAPS hasn’t released their exact nationalities, it’s common for illegal miners in South Africa to come from nearby countries like Lesotho, Zimbabwe, or Mozambique. Poverty and joblessness often drive them across borders, chasing the promise of quick cash in the mines.
These men now face a stack of charges: possession of suspected gold-bearing material, illegal gold processing equipment, trespassing, and contravention of the Immigration Act. That last one suggests they’re in South Africa illegally, adding an extra layer to their troubles. They’re due in court soon, where prosecutors will lay out the evidence – and with 132.52 kilograms of material and a pile of tools, it’s a strong case.
For many, this is a desperate story. Illegal miners often risk everything – arrest, injury, even death – for a shot at a better life. But their actions break the law, harm the country, and fuel criminal networks, leaving police with no choice but to crack down.
The Law: What Happens Next?
South Africa has strict rules around mining and immigration, and these suspects are in deep water. The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) says no one can mine or hold precious minerals like gold without a permit. Breaking this law can mean up to 10 years in jail or a fine of R500,000. The 132.52 kilograms of gold-bearing material alone could land them in serious trouble under this act.
The Immigration Act adds more heat. If they’re here illegally, they could face deportation after any jail time, plus a ban on coming back. Trespassing on private land – likely the mines or farms where they were caught – is another charge that could stick.
Court will be their next stop. Prosecutors will argue that this wasn’t a small-time gig but a planned operation, given the amount of material and equipment. The suspects will get a chance to defend themselves, but with the evidence stacked against them, it’s a tough road ahead. The SAPS hopes a strong punishment will send a message to others thinking of following in their footsteps.
Why Illegal Mining Keeps Happening
Stopping illegal mining isn’t easy. It’s tied to big problems like poverty, unemployment, and crime that stretch beyond South Africa’s borders. In countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe, where jobs are scarce, the lure of gold can be too strong to resist. People cross into South Africa, often with help from syndicates who supply tools and buy the minerals they dig up.
These syndicates are the real puppet masters. They run networks that move gold across borders, dodging taxes and laws. They’re hard to catch because they operate in the shadows, using cash and fear to keep things quiet. For police, nailing the miners is just one piece of the puzzle – the bigger challenge is cutting off the money and power at the top.
Then there’s the land itself. South Africa has thousands of old mines, many abandoned since the gold rush days. They’re scattered across places like the Free State, hard to watch all the time. Zama zamas sneak in, set up shop, and disappear before anyone notices. It’s a game of cat and mouse, and the cats can’t be everywhere at once.
Voices from the Top: What Leaders Say
Police and government leaders are cheering this bust. Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele called it a “big win” for Operation Valu uMgodi, saying it shows their hard work is paying off. Nationally, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe has been vocal about the need to stop illegal mining. “It’s not just crime – it’s a threat to our economy and our people,” he said in a recent speech.
In other provinces, top cops agree. Limpopo’s Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised her team’s arrests, saying, “We’re protecting our resources and our future.” Mpumalanga’s Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi added, “This operation is here to stay. We’re making a dent, and we won’t stop.”
These leaders want the public to know they’re serious. Illegal mining isn’t just a small problem – it’s a national issue that needs everyone’s attention.
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