Multi-agency sting nets explosives, gold-bearing material, and medication believed to be destined for illegal miners in Mpumalanga.
 |
| Suspect linked to illegal mining operations; explosives and medical supplies seized in joint police raid. |
A 32-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested on Friday, July 18, during a high-impact sting operation targeting criminal activities linked to illegal mining in the Barberton area.
The coordinated operation was carried out by multiple elite law enforcement and private security units, including the Mpumalanga Organized Crime Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence (CI), the Tactical Response Team (TRT), the White River K9 Unit, and Hi-Tech Security Company.
Authorities seized a significant cache of illegal items during the raid, including:
- 89 electronic detonators
- 49 blasting cartridges labeled "Superpower"
- 6 meters of detonating cord
- 4 safety fuses
- 9 boxes of cough medication
- Gold-bearing rocks
- Two portable scales
Police believe the suspect was involved in supplying these materials to illegal miners operating in the region, a practice that has become increasingly common in Mpumalanga’s mineral-rich zones.
The man has been formally charged with:
- Illegal possession of explosives
- Illegal possession of gold-bearing material
- Illegal possession of medication
He is expected to appear before the Barberton Magistrate's Court on Monday, July 21, 2025.
#sapsMP [ILLEGAL MINING] A 32yr-old Zimbabwean national was arrested on Friday 18/07 during a sting op in Barberton, explosives and medicine confiscated.
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 19, 2025
The operation was collaboratively executed by several specialized units, including Mpumalanga Organized Crime… pic.twitter.com/1NgYUyvbH1
This arrest forms part of the broader efforts under Operation Vala Umgodi, a national initiative aimed at dismantling illegal mining syndicates and cutting off their supply chains. The operation underscores the growing concern over the dangers posed by illicit mining both to public safety and the environment as well as the cross-border networks that often facilitate these crimes.
Authorities have indicated that further investigations are underway and additional arrests may follow as they deepen their probe into the criminal networks supplying illegal miners in the area.
Suggestions for you:
Gauteng’s Silent Surcharge: How Electricity Bills Are Punishing the Poor
South Africa's Healthcare Strain: A Nation Caught Between Compassion and Capacity
Final Report on George Building Collapse Reveals Ignored Safety Warnings and Regulatory Failures
0 Comments