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.

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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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