SAPS members net over 1,000 illegal miners in Mpumalanga
The illegal miners were arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi in a shaft at the Sheba Gold Mine.
South African Polcie 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 - More than 1,000 illegal miners have been arrested at a mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga, on Friday afternoon in what police have described as a massive clampdown operation by law enforcement and mine security.
The illegal miners were arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi in a shaft at the Sheba Gold Mine.
Police said they’ve been closing in on the “zama zamas”, or illegal miners, since the start of the week.
According to the cops, the illegal miners have continuously frustrated operations at the Sheba mines, which are part of the historic Barberton Mines Complex.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli said Operation Vala Umgodi cut off supplies to the illegal miners, forcing them out of the shaft. This is similar to the operation Vala Umgodi in Stilfontein.
He said the number of illegal miners could surpass 1,000 with more “zama zamas” expected to emerge in the coming hours.
Earlier this year, mine management raised concerns about the impact of rampant gold theft at the mine.