Mpumalanga NPA waiting for police docket before prosecuting 24 resurfaced illegal miners
The group is linked to Friday’s mass arrest of almost 500 zama zamas at Sheba Mine.
South African Police Service (SAPS) Vala Umgodi team and mine security arrested close to 1,000 illegal miners in Barberton, in Mpumalanga, on 1 August 2025. Picture: Supplied/SAPS
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga said it’s waiting for the police docket before it can proceed with the prosecution of 24 illegal miners who resurfaced from a mine in Barberton.
The group is linked to Friday’s mass arrest of almost 500 zama zamas at Sheba Mine.
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The 24, believed to have gone deeper into the mine to hide during the initial raid, spent the entire weekend underground before emerging on Monday.
The mass police operation, part of the national “Vala Umgodi” crackdown, has been described as one of the biggest illegal mining busts in recent years.
Police said the operation led to the seizure of gold bearing material, mining equipment and even a firearm.
The NPA said the 24 resurfaced miners will appear in court once the necessary paperwork is handed over by police.
"The case has been postponed to the 11th and 12th of August 2025 for verification of addresses and possible bail application. All other accused were remanded in custody," said spokesperson Monica Nyuswa.
Authorities expect more miners to come up from underground in the coming days, as the mine remains under strict police watch.
Illegal mining, or zama zama activity, has long been a problem at Sheba Mine, with security forces regularly finding foreign nationals and undocumented workers operating deep below ground.