National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, visited the scene and noted the operation highlights the grave risks associated with illegal mining, not only to the miners but also to neighbouring communities. Authorities have identified a growing pattern of human trafficking, with many miners claiming they were brought to the site under false pretences of job opportunities and were then held hostage and forced to mine gold illegally. Some of the heavily armed bosses controlling these operations are reportedly keeping the miners underground against their will.

In recent months, police have made significant strides in arresting key figures behind illegal mining operations, Masemola said. In November, two kingpins, Joacham Chivayo, a Zimbabwean national, and Ayanda Gungwa, a South African national, were arrested by the Hawks with R15 million worth of unwrought gold. They have since been charged with contravening the Precious Metals Act. Another kingpin, Loren Louw, was charged with 1,176 counts of money laundering and violating the Precious Metals Act, amounting to R2.6 billion. In September, Gary and Justin Mitchell were arrested for the theft of R20 million worth of illegally mined chrome.

Furthermore, six kingpins from Khutsong and Carletonville are facing legal action after the Hawks and NPA secured preservation orders for 51 vehicles and seven properties linked to illegal mining. These cases represent a fraction of the ongoing efforts to dismantle the illicit mining networks in South Africa, Masemola said.

Operation Vala Umgodi, initiated in December 2023, remains a ‘critical tool’ in combating illegal mining activities. The SAPS said while progress has been made, the situation demands more resources and continued support to ensure the safety of all involved and to hold the criminals responsible accountable.

Since December 2023, more than 15 000 people have been arrested in connection with illegal mining, and 427 high calibre firearms and more than 10 000 rounds of ammunition have been seized from illegal mining operations.

In Stilfontein, six bodies have been recovered in the past 24 hours, with 26 illegal miners resurfacing over the last two days. More than 1,300 miners have been rescued in recent weeks, and operations continue as the police work to prevent further tragedies.

General Masemola stated that the SAPS is committed to addressing the dangers of illegal mining, which he noted is often tied to other crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering, and armed violence. The Commissioner said law enforcement will continue to hold criminal networks accountable and urged all South Africans to join in this fight by reporting illegal activities and supporting the police’s efforts. “Together we can and we will put a stop to these illicit activities if we are all committed to the fight,” said Masemola.

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The patrollers were reportedly preparing for duty at their base at Lugongozo Senior Secondary School when attackers struck with an assortment of firearms.

In addition to the six fatalities, four other patrollers were injured in the attack.

The President offered his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and extended wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.

He condemned the violence, describing it as a grave loss to the community and an assault on the efforts of ordinary citizens to maintain safety in their area.

“Our thoughts are with the families of these community members who died in the course of playing their part to keep their area safe. Following so soon after an equally tragic shooting at Lusikisiki, this new incident saddens and outrages us,” President Ramaphosa said on Tuesday.

Last month, in the same province, 18 people lost their lives in a mass shooting in Ngobozana village, in Lusikisiki. In that tragedy, the President assured the grieving families that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had mobilised all available resources to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In his statement on Tuesday, the President vowed that justice would be served, warning that criminals, along with anyone who sheltered or protected them, would face the full might of the law.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with communities to ensure safety in homes, neighbourhoods, and public spaces.

“However, it should also add to our resolve to stop criminals from terrorising communities in the mistaken belief that they’re untouchable. They will be brought to justice alongside anyone who harbours such criminals and does not report information to the authorities.

“Government will continue to work with communities to ensure our homes, neighbourhoods and public spaces are safe and that criminals know they will pay for their deeds.”

The President welcomed the progress made in the investigation into the incident by the police, which has reportedly yielded a positive lead in the case.

Police update

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, said he was confident that police were following a positive lead in apprehending suspects linked to the killing of the six community patrollers.

Masemola visited the crime scene on Monday.

In a statement, the police said a team of specialised detectives from the district office of the SAPS in Mthatha, were hot on the heels of the suspects wanted in connection with the incident.

“The investigation is ongoing, and arrests are imminent in this regard; as the detective leads are pointing at ongoing stock theft related matters between the affected village and other neighbouring villages,” said Masemola.

With regards to last month’s killing of 18 family members, police said investigations “are at an advanced but sensitive stage in relation to the arrest of the suspects linked to the gruesome murder of 18 family members and relatives in Lusikisiki last week”.

A multi-disciplinary team and detectives from specialised operational environments has been on the ground, since last week and significant progress has been made.

“To date, the joint provincial and national teams are working around the clock to apprehend the wanted suspects and to maintain law and order in the affected areas.”

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“Every week in the last month, SAPS has arrested at least one drug mule at OR Tambo International Airport. This week alone, police arrested three drug mules, including two Dutch traffickers, who were found with 80 kg of Khat. Today’s (Sunday’s) arrest is the 14th drug mule to be arrested in recent weeks,” the police said in a statement released at the weekend.

In Sunday’s arrest, the SAPS in collaboration with officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), arrested a 43-year-old drug mule from Paraguay who had landed from São Paulo.

“A medical examination confirmed that he had swallowed multiple foreign objects and has so far released more than 20 bullets suspected to contain cocaine. This brings the total number of drug mules arrested at this airport in the last couple of weeks to fourteen,” said the SAPS.

Last month, a 21-year-old South African woman became the eleventh person arrested for drug trafficking at the OR Tambo International (ORTIA) Airport.

At the time, the police said she was intercepted as she was arriving on a flight from São Paulo, Brazil.

She was taken to a local hospital where an X-ray confirmed that she had foreign objects in her stomach.

In that arrest, the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, commended the vigilance of members of SARS and SAPS at the airport.

On Sunday, 22 September 2024, a 30-year-old Namibian drug mule was arrested after arriving from São Paulo.

On Friday, 13 September 2024, a Nigerian drug mule was arrested after he was found in possession of cocaine that was concealed in aircraft head phones. He had just landed from São Paulo.

On the morning of 07 October, Deputy National Commissioner responsible for policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, confirmed that the drug mule arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday has been rushed to hospital following a health complication. He has so far released about 117 drug bullets suspected to be cocaine.

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