Police Arrest 792 Suspects in Two Weeks in Operation Vala Umgodi for Committing Multiple Offenses
Pretoria – Police have announced that their nationwide Vala Umgodi operations have led to the arrest of 792 crime suspects within a span of just two weeks.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk stated on Wednesday, (26 March 2025), that the arrests – involving individuals of various nationalities – occurred from Monday, (10 March 2025), to Sunday, (23 March 2025).
Of the 792 suspects, 171 were apprehended for crimes related to illegal mining, while others faced charges for murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of explosives, and possession of suspected stolen goods.
Lt-Col Van Wyk noted that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were deployed across seven provinces as part of Operation Vala Umgodi, with a focus on preventing and combating various crimes, including those not directly associated with illegal mining.
Over the past two weeks, police have seized numerous items, including:
- 17 unlicensed firearms;
- 128 rounds of ammunition;
- 25 vehicles, including sedans, bakkies, trucks, and trailers;
- Three excavators;
Details of the operations include:
▶️ Free State: On Sunday, (16 March 2025), the Mission Area Joint Operational Centre, along with combat operators and other participants of Operation Vala Umgodi in the Free State, executed various disruptive policing actions targeting illegal mining in and around Thabong Extension 4.
Twelve foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining activities were located and arrested during the operation.
Police seized gold-bearing material and mining equipment, including phendukas, steel balls, garden spades, shovels, pickaxes, steel plates, buckets, and washing basins.
▶️ Gauteng: In a decisive effort to tackle illegal mining, Johannesburg District conducted an operation to destroy confiscated illegal mining equipment.
On 13 March 2025, SAPS, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, destroyed nearly 100 items, including pendukas, stampers, spades, and steel balls.
▶️ KwaZulu-Natal: An intelligence-led operation by members of Operation Vala Umgodi in KwaZulu-Natal led to a targeted location in the Kwamlilo area of the KwaDukuza Ilembe District.
During the encounter, three suspects were fatally wounded in a shootout with police, while one individual managed to escape arrest.
A preliminary report indicates that the four suspects were plotting an armed house robbery in the region.
▶️ Limpopo: Ongoing operations in Limpopo under Vala Umgodi led to the arrest of six individuals for illegal mining, fraud, immigration law violations, and bribery on Monday, (17 March 2025), in the Lulekani and Phalaborwa Policing Precincts, Mopani District.
▶️ Mpumalanga: On 16 March 2025, members involved in Operation Vala Umgodi responded to a tip-off and arrested a 49-year-old suspect for money laundering and bribery.
The authorities confiscated cash totaling R1.2 million and Mozambican currency hidden within the suspect’s residence.
Additionally, thirty-four illegal immigrants, aged between 20 and 77, received three-month prison sentences during their appearance at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 March 2025.
Upon completing their sentences, these illegal miners will be deported to their countries of origin.
▶️ Northern Cape: Multi-disciplinary teams in the Northern Cape executing Operation Vala Umgodi across the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts arrested 19 individuals for violating the Illicit Mining Act and various other offenses during operations that started on Friday, 14 March 2025.
▶️ North West: A disruptive phase of Operation Vala Umgodi conducted between Tuesday, 18 and Wednesday, 19 March 2025, led to the detention of 11 suspected undocumented foreign nationals.
Nine of these arrests took place in Ramochana near Boitekong, and two were made in Tlhatlaganyane village within the Sun City policing area in North West.
“Since its launch in December 2023, Operation Vala Umgodi has consistently made significant progress in effectively addressing those involved in illegal mining activities throughout the country,” remarked Lieutenant-Colonel Van Wyk.
“To date, over 20,000 suspects have been apprehended through Operation Vala Umgodi.”
