MATJHABENG – A relentless multi-agency crackdown on illegal mining is gathering momentum across the Lejweleputswa District, with dozens of arrests, the seizure of gold-bearing material and explosives, and the destruction of illegal mining infrastructure highlighting an intensified campaign against criminal syndicates operating in the Matjhabeng area.

The latest successes form part of Operation Prosper, a joint initiative involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and private mining security companies. The operation has focused heavily on illegal mining hotspots in Welkom, Thabong, Meloding, Virginia, Allanridge and Odendaalsrus.

Between 11 and 16 July, police arrested 12 suspects, aged between 18 and 44, in the Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Allanridge and Theunissen policing areas. They face charges including possession of suspected gold-bearing material, possession of suspected stolen property, contravening the Immigration Act, possession of dagga and trespassing.

Police confiscated equipment commonly associated with illegal mining, including pickaxes, spades and buckets, as well as dagga and corrugated iron sheets believed to have been used at illegal mining sites.

Authorities say these disruptive operations will continue as they work to dismantle illegal mining syndicates operating throughout the district.

In one of the week’s most significant breakthroughs, members of the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit, assisted by Thabong Crime Intelligence, arrested two men, aged 37 and 47, after an intelligence-driven operation uncovered explosives at a house in the Senzela section of Meloding.

Police said information had been received that the suspects were allegedly storing explosives and attempting to sell them illegally. A search of the property led to the discovery of 11 cone-pack explosives inside the house.

The SAPS Explosives Unit was immediately called to secure and remove the devices, which were seized as evidence while investigations continue.

Police believe explosives remain a critical component in many illegal mining operations and say removing them from circulation is an important step in disrupting organised criminal networks.

Earlier Operation Prosper deployments also targeted several illegal mining sites across Matjhabeng.

At G-Hostel in Thabong, joint patrols uncovered and destroyed several makeshift gravity separation tables used to process gold-bearing material. Four men were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.

In a separate operation at the St Helena 08 Old Shaft near Welkom, police arrested three foreign nationals, aged 30, 32 and 32, allegedly caught digging underground. Officers seized 12,5 kg of suspected gold-bearing material, together with a pickaxe, garden spades, a homemade strainer, a sieve and plastic buckets used during the illegal mining activities.

Another operation at Harmony Country Club resulted in the arrest of 27 suspects – comprising 20 men and seven women – on charges of trespassing and possession of housebreaking implements. Officers also recovered 17,1 kg of copper cable, believed to be linked to criminal activity.

The district operations formed part of the province-wide Operation Shanela II, during which 1 277 suspects were arrested across the Free State in the week ending 19 July.

Police conducted high-density operations across all five districts, stopping and searching more than 36 000 people and nearly 16 000 vehicles, while detectives tracked down 254 wanted suspects.

Compliance inspections with the Departments of Labour and Home Affairs also resulted in the arrest of 134 undocumented foreign nationals, while police recorded arrests for offences including murder, robbery, rape, assault, attempted murder, drug dealing and the possession of unlicensed firearms.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia commended police members, specialised units and partner agencies for maintaining pressure on criminal networks.

For residents of Matjhabeng, where illegal mining continues to threaten public safety, infrastructure and economic stability, the latest operations signal a determined effort by law enforcement agencies to reclaim abandoned mining areas and dismantle the syndicates that continue to exploit them.

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