Almost 500 illegal miners brought to the surface from a mine in Barberton in Mpumalanga last Friday are set to appear at the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The group faces charges of contravening the Immigration Act and trespassing, while others are facing charges of possession of gold-bearing material.
Their arrest follows an intense operation by law enforcement and mine security as part of Operation Vala Umgodi in the province.
illegal miners
The police initially estimated that 1,000 miners had been arrested but later revised that number down by half.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson. Ppho Nonyane-Mpe: “Members of the SAPS, including the team that is working there in collaboration with home affairs officials, are currently busy with the purifying the number in terms of how many will be charged for what type of offence.”
Nonyane-Mpe said that an operation was underway to retrieve zama zamas that remained underground.
“The plans in terms of the others that went deep, our members from Vala Umgodi, in collaboration with the mine security and also the Department of Minerals and Energy, will regroup and also esure that we communicate whatever action will be taken following this development.”
In other news – Photos: Enhle Mbali and her sons steal the spotlight at Basadi in Music Awards
Actress and fashion designer Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa turned heads as she attended the 2025 Basadi in Music Awards alongside her two sons, Asante and Anesu, to honour her mother, Bongi Mlotshwa, who received the Trailblazer of the Year award.
Dressed in a custom design from her fashion label Essie Apparel, which she launched in 2019, Enhle was the picture of elegance and pride. Read More
