Forty-three suspected illegal miners arrested during a joint operation by the South African Police Service and Defence Force in Westonaria, Gauteng.
Forty-three suspected illegal miners, all believed to be undocumented foreign nationals, were arrested during a joint South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) operation targeting illegal mining activities in Westonaria, Gauteng.
The arrests were made on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during Operation Prosper, an ongoing integrated law enforcement initiative aimed at combating illegal mining across the province.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the suspects were charged with illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act. One of the arrested individuals was also found in possession of live ammunition.
Police seized a range of equipment allegedly used in illegal mining operations, including four stamping pots, two gas bottles, two chisels, 50 stone crushers, a green jackhammer, a wheelbarrow, three soil dishes, five 20-litre buckets and a motor.
