Police have concluded an operation to remove illegal miners form an abandoned South Mine in Sabie, Mpumalanga. According to a statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the operation to rescue alleged illegal miners trapped underground began on Tuesday 3 December, and concluded on Friday evening.

Throughout the operation, a total of 153 alleged illegal miners were brought to safety, with three bodies recovered on Wednesday 4 December. No injuries were reported among the individuals rescued or the law enforcement personnel involved.

The operation was a collaborative effort, with a diverse team of stakeholders, including a mining company, private security firms, and government departments such as the SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Health (Emergency Medical Services), and the South African National Defence Force.

On 5 December, the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, visited the site, accompanied by key SAPS leadership: Divisional Commissioner for Detective and Forensic Services, Lieutenant General Hilda Khosi Senthumule; Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing and Operations, Lieutenant General Maropeng Johanna Mamotheti; and Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi.

Of the 153 individuals rescued, a “significant number” were foreign nationals from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, along with a few South African nationals.

Mkhwanazi expressed gratitude for the teamwork, professionalism, and cooperation displayed during the operation. “The investigation into illegal mining activities has already commenced to ensure justice is served. We ask the public to allow our team the space to conduct their investigation without disruption. Further updates will be provided, and in the meantime, Operation Vala Umgodi will continue its efforts to combat illegal mining in the province,” said Mkhwanazi.