ALLANRIDGE – Two men were arrested for possession of suspected gold bearing material during an anti-illegal mining operation in the Lejweleputswa District on Friday.

The suspects, aged 25 and 40, were apprehended in Extension 3, Allanridge, after police spotted a group of individuals digging in the area.

A multi-disciplinary team comprising the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and private security conducted the operation as part of Operation Prosper, which targets illicit mining and crime prevention in the district.

When the team approached the group on 22 May, several individuals fled. Police managed to apprehend two suspects and confiscated suspected gold bearing material, spades, a pickaxe and other equipment believed to be used during illegal mining operations.

In a separate incident in the adjacent town of Odendaalsrus, members attached to the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) traced and arrested two male suspects linked to an alleged robbery case.

The arrest follows an incident that occurred on Thursday, 21 May at about 20:30 near Tshepong Mine. According to information, a victim (27) was walking with friends when he was accosted by three African males.

One of the suspects, who was armed with a panga, instructed the victim to hand over his cellphone. After the victim refused, the suspect forcefully searched him, instructed him to take off his clothes before striking him with a panga on his body. The suspects then fled the scene after robbing the victim of his belongings.

A case of robbery with a weapon other than a firearm was registered at Odendaalsrus for further investigation.

On Sunday, 24 May 2026, Welkom Crime Intelligence gathered information on the whereabouts of the alleged suspects. The information was operationalised by the Welkom AGU and led them to Bazabaza street in Kutlwanong, where two suspects were spotted and subsequently arrested.

The two suspects were identified as gang members affiliated with the Triple O Gang (Out Of Order).

Police seized dangerous weapons that were found in possession of the suspects.

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