In a major crackdown on illegal mining, the Barberton Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to only 26 of the more than 480 suspected illegal miners arrested in Barberton, Mpumalanga—leaving hundreds still behind bars.
The 26 who were released on R2,000 bail each were found to have no prior convictions, no pending cases, and verified residential addresses—key factors in the court’s decision to grant them temporary freedom.
All were warned not to reoffend while out on bail. The remaining accused—many of whom failed to meet the court’s criteria—were remanded in custody, with the case postponed to August 11–12, 2025, for further proceedings.
This mass arrest forms part of a growing national effort to clamp down on illegal mining, which has become a major criminal and economic threat in various parts of South Africa. Barberton, known for its rich gold deposits, has been a hotspot for zama zamas, or illegal miners, who operate outside regulatory frameworks, often in dangerous and unregulated conditions.
Authorities say more arrests and prosecutions are expected as investigations continue.
