The South African Police Service (SAPS) says approximately 1000 illegal immigrants were apprehended at a mine in Barberton on Friday, the 1st of August 2025, during Operation Vala Umgodi.
The collaboration between the National Roving team, K9 Dog Unit, Task Force, Vukalanga Security, and members from Combat and Proactive team, began on the 28th of July 2025. The operation has been coordinated and carried out successfully, which disrupted the illegal mining operations and due to the pressure by the law enforcement agencies, led to the illegal miners resurfacing.
[VALA UMGODI DISRUPTIVE OPERATION ] Close to a thousand illegal miners have been arrested at an active mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga. This is a joint operation between SAPS Vala Umgodi and mine security. pic.twitter.com/N3UL2NfK4O
— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) August 1, 2025
Police say that it has been discovered through the operation, that most of the miners are foreign nationals without valid documentation to be in the country. It was also discovered that some of these miners could be underage, hence Police are working in conjunction with officials from the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Minerals and Energy, the National Prosecution Authority, as well as other law enforcement agencies.
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The suspects could possibly be charged for Contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, as well as other charges in relation to Illegal mining, and Trespassing. More charges may be added as the operation and investigation continues, police said in a statement.
