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NELSPRUIT, 27 OCTOBER 2026 – The South African Police Service (SAPS) Illicit Mining Team in Mpumalanga has intensified its war on illegal mining, resulting in the arrest of six foreign nationals and the recovery of raw gold, cash, illegal mining equipment and counterfeit cigarettes in Pilgrim’s Rest and Ngodwana.
The intelligence-driven operation was conducted on Monday, 26 October, at around 07:30 at Mashobodo, in the Ngodwana Policing Precinct.
Six suspects arrested in Mpumalanga illegal mining raid
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula, members of the Pilgrim’s Rest Illicit Mining Team arrested six suspects during the operation – four Mozambican nationals, one Zimbabwean national and one Ethiopian national.
Police confirmed that charges have been laid as follows:
- Ethiopian national (spaza shop owner): Charged with possession of counterfeit cigarettes after police found 15 Remington Gold cigarette cartons in his possession.
- Two Mozambican nationals: Charged with possession of gold-bearing material (GBM), possession of gold-bearing equipment (GBE), possession of raw gold, money laundering involving R18 600 in cash, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
- Two Mozambican nationals and one Zimbabwean national: Charged with possession of GBM and GBE and contravention of the Immigration Act.
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Six suspects arrested: raw gold, R18 600 cash and mining equipment seized
During the raid at Mashobodo, police confiscated a large quantity of illegal mining equipment and contraband, including: two generators, six jackhammers, eight phendukas (traditional grinding tools), four shovels, 13 steel balls, three 12,5kg bags of gold-bearing material (GBM), one scale with raw gold, R18 600 in cash believed to be proceeds of crime, 22 head torches, gas cylinder, water boots, grinder, hammers and other tools.
A total of six cases were opened. All six suspects are expected to appear before court soon.
Six suspects arrested: SAPS Mpumalanga vows continued crackdown on zama zamas
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise, commended the members involved for their continued efforts to disrupt illegal mining activities and the criminal networks that benefit from illicit operations.
Police say operations will continue to detect, prevent and combat illegal mining and other forms of criminality across Mpumalanga.
How to report illegal mining
Members of the public are encouraged to report illegal mining and criminal activities anonymously by contacting Crime Stop at 08600 10111, using the MySAPS App, or approaching their nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
RELATED: SAPS arrests 1 319 in Operation Shanela II
The Mashobodo bust forms part of a larger crackdown across Mpumalanga.During Operation Shanela II from 22-25 October, SAPS arrested 1 319 suspects province-wide and recovered 23 firearms (8 rifles, 13 handguns, 2 shotguns), 137 rounds of ammunition, and over 2 131kg of dagga.Other arrests included 23 for gold-bearing material, 11 for illegal mining offences, 20 for rape, 9 for murder, and 94 undocumented persons. 30 wanted suspects were also traced.Provincial Commissioner Lt-Gen Apaphia Modise said operations will continue to target illegal firearms, drugs and illicit mining.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: Police arrest 1 319 suspects and recover 23 firearms in relentless Operation Shanela II crackdown in Mpumalanga
INFO BOX: SAPS Illicit Mining Team
The SAPS Illicit Mining Team is a specialised, multidisciplinary unit within SAPS Mpumalanga deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi.It was established nationally to combat the zama-zama crisis and brings together:
- SAPS Visible Policing and Detectives
- SAPS Task Force and K9 Unit
- Department of Home Affairs (Immigration)
- Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)
- Mine Security and private security partners
Mandate in Mpumalanga:
The team focuses on hotspot areas including Mashobodo / Ngodwana, Sabie, Pilgrim’s Rest, and Barberton, where illegal gold mining is prevalent.
According to Provincial Commissioner Lt-Gen Apaphia Modise, operations are intelligence-driven and aimed at disrupting illegal mining at its source.
What they target:
Illegal mining and possession of gold-bearing material and equipment, such as pendukas (homemade crushing mills), jackhammers, generators, and chemicals used to refine gold, and contraventions of the Immigration Act, as many of the suspects are undocumented foreign nationals.
Recent successes:
In early October 2026 alone, the team arrested 22 suspects in Mashobodo and Sabie in one weekend, all foreign nationals from Mozambique and Eswatini. The team also continues to work with Home Affairs to verify immigration status of suspects arrested.
