South African authorities intensified their fight against illegal mining with targeted operations at two major sites in Limpopo province, resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of equipment and materials, police announced on Saturday.
The Vala Umgodi Task Team, acting on credible intelligence, conducted raids on Friday, June 13, 2025, targeting illegal activities at Sefateng Chrome Mine and Bokone Platinum Mine, according to Lieutenant Colonel Masekela Magoro of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo. The operations underscore the police’s “unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the environment,” Magoro said.
At approximately 1:30 a.m., the task team descended on Sefateng Chrome Mine, where they found piles of chromite ore and apprehended two Zimbabwean males, aged 38 and 17, for illegal mining and violating the Immigration Act. The suspects were detained at Mecklenburg SAPS, along with confiscated items including a blue jackhammer, a generator, two wheelbarrows, a pickaxe, a shovel, electric cords, a 20-liter petrol container, and a liter of petrol, Magoro stated.
Later, at around 3:30 a.m., the team uncovered illegal mining activities at Bokone Platinum Mine, arresting two additional suspects, aged 45 and 39, on charges of illegal mining and Immigration Act violations. Authorities seized a generator, two jackhammers, four shovels, electric cords, a white multi-plug, a white Toyota Hilux, and a TATA tipper truck carrying 21,140 kg of chromite, according to Magoro.
“The South African Police Service remains resolute in its efforts to eradicate illegal mining,” Magoro said, emphasizing that the operations reflect the SAPS’s dedication to protecting national resources and ensuring lawful economic activity. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
Magoro urged the public to report suspicious activities related to illegal mining, stating, “Working together, we can safeguard our environment and promote sustainable development for all.”