Five undocumented foreign nationals have been arrested in a coordinated operation targeting illegal mining activities across Ekurhuleni. The arrests were carried out by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Intervention Unit between Monday, April 14, and Sunday, April 19, 2025.
The individuals, aged between 18 and 45, were apprehended while operating at disused mine shafts in Germiston, Duduza, and KwaThema.
The operation is part of a sustained effort by law enforcement to tackle the escalating issue of illicit mining in the region, which has been linked to environmental degradation, safety hazards, and broader criminal networks.
During the raids, officers seized various pieces of illegal mining equipment, including phendukas—used in the gold extraction process—and gas cylinders.
The suspects have been charged with illegal mining and violations of South Africa’s Immigration Act. They are due to appear in court in the coming days.
The EMPD has reiterated its commitment to cracking down on illegal mining operations, which continue to pose significant risks to public safety and infrastructure across the city.
