Over 200 illegal mining suspects arrested in major West Rand operation

More than 200 suspected illegal miners have been arrested during a large-scale law enforcement operation at the Losberg Kloof Mine near Westonaria on Gauteng’s West Rand.

The six-month intelligence-driven operation, conducted under Operation Prosper, brought together the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Fidelity Specialised Services and Sibanye Protection Services to dismantle illegal mining syndicates and transnational criminal networks operating at the Sibanye Stillwater-owned mine.

Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner, Fred Kekana, said officers descended on the site from 3am on Tuesday, arresting mostly foreign nationals. Among those arrested were illegal immigrants comprising Mozambican, Zimbabwean and Lesotho nationals.

A South African suspect was allegedly found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, 120 rounds of ammunition and an abandoned pistol.

Police said four South Africans will face charges of harbouring undocumented foreign nationals, while more than 170 suspects are expected to be charged with contravening immigration laws by being in the country illegally. 

Kekana said all those arrested will also be profiled to determine whether they are linked to other criminal offences.

He added that police are confident the operation will lead to successful prosecutions and vowed to intensify similar crackdowns at other illegal mining hotspots, including Ekurhuleni, Langlaagte and Kagiso.

Kekana revealed that a previous raid at the same mine two months ago resulted in only 30 arrests but led to the discovery of more than 600 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and two abandoned rifles.

“We reviewed our operational plan and monitored the place. We used various drones and a helicopter to take video footage. Our intelligence was hard at work to ensure we get more information,” he said.

Police have also arrested a South African man believed to own a four-bedroom house that allegedly accommodated some of the suspects. 

Kekana said the Asset Forfeiture Unit has been requested to investigate the suspect’s assets, including livestock, to determine whether they are proceeds from illegal mining activities.

#sapsGP [ACTIVE SCENE: OPERATION PROSPER AT LOSBERG KLOOF MINE, WESTONARIA] #SAPS Gauteng together with SANDF and Sibanye Protection Services, conducted #OperationProsper at Losberg Kloof Mine in Westonaria on Tuesday, 07/07.

The operation is aimed at combating #IllegalMining… pic.twitter.com/X9CbWXTeyE

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 7, 2026