Explosives seized as 121 arrested in West Rand illegal mining crackdown.
A joint operation targeting illegal mining activities on Gauteng's West Rand has resulted in the arrest of 121 suspects and the seizure of explosives, mining equipment, vehicles, cash and ammunition.
The intelligence-driven operation, dubbed *Operation PROSPER*, was conducted on 10 July 2026 at Bhundu Inn in Mohlakeng by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
According to the SANDF, soldiers from the Solomon Mahlangu Regiment's Alpha, Bravo and Charlie companies, operating under the Joint Tactical Headquarters Gauteng, worked alongside SAPS in a coordinated effort aimed at disrupting illegal mining and associated criminal activities.
The operation was led by SAPS Counter Intelligence in collaboration with SANDF Defence Intelligence and was supported by battlefield surveillance capabilities.
