Operation Prosper nets 30 foreigners, haul of mining gear in West Rand crackdown [VIDEO]

South African police and defense force have apprehended 30 suspects and seized illegal mining equipment in a crackdown dubbed Operation Prosper in West Rand, Mohlakeng, on Monday, 07 September 2026. The suspects, ranging from 25 to 43 years old, are nationals of Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, and South Africa. They were charged with offenses such as illegal mining, possession of illegal mining gear, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

During the operation, police collected illegal mining tools including 44 generators, pendukas, jackhammers, spades, stamps, stamp pots, drill bits, water pumps, detonating cords, and explosives. In a related incident the previous day, 21 abandoned generators and eight jackhammers were recovered in Mohlakeng, believed to be tied to illegal mining in the region.

Captain Tintswalo Sibeko of the police said the suspects are set to face Randfontein Magistrate's Court soon. The operation aims to disrupt and dismantle illegal mining activities. Meanwhile, Mpumalanga's environmental law enforcers are battling illegal mining that is encroaching on heritage sites, according to Brenda Moeketsi, the MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land, and Environmental Affairs.

In 2021, Makhonjwa Mountain was recognized as a World Heritage Site for its 3.5 billion-year-old volcanic and sedimentary rock formations. However, illegal mining continues to threaten these sites, agricultural land, wetlands, and other sensitive environments.