The South African Police Service has scored a major victory in its ongoing battle against illegal mining and associated crimes in the Free State, with over 100 arrests made in the Lejweleputswa District under the Vala Umgodi operation. The crackdown, which spanned the past week, saw multi-disciplinary teams—comprising Proactive and Combat units, private security firms, and other agencies—coordinate targeted raids and intercepts across hotspots.
Among the key busts was the interception of a truck transporting an excavator allegedly used for illegal mining near Odendaalsrus. In Thabong, suspects were apprehended with gold processing equipment, while a raid in Wepener uncovered illicit cigarettes valued at R9,000. Ammunition, drugs, and gold-bearing material were also seized across various locations.
A separate joint operation in Mmamahabane led to the detention of 25 undocumented individuals, further underscoring the complex web of criminal activity often tied to illegal mining networks.
Police hailed the results as a testament to the power of intelligence-led operations and strong inter-agency collaboration. With Vala Umgodi set to continue, law enforcement has made clear that the fight against mining-related crime is far from over.
