Minors found underground as police raid illegal mining site in Mpumalanga

Four minors aged between 12 and 16 were found underground during a police operation targeting illegal mining at the Dukes old mineshaft in Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga, on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

According to Arrive Alive, the youngest, a 12-year-old boy, was removed from the site and placed in a place of safety. Police confirmed that all four minors had been inside the disused shaft during the operation, which formed part of the ongoing Operation Vala Umgodi.

Alongside the discovery of the minors, police arrested 14 adult suspects aged between 18 and 47. Three of them were also charged with possession of illegal mining equipment, while one faces additional charges of possession of explosives, dagga, and illegal mining equipment.

The Combat and Proactive members, together with the Majoc Roving team, carried out the disruptive operation and confiscated various items from the site. These included generators, motors, shovels, explosives, 56 small packets of dagga, a jackhammer, and other tools linked to illegal mining activities.

All arrested suspects are due to appear in the Pilgrim’s Rest Periodical Court on Monday, 5 May 2025.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the officers involved in the operation, commending the work done by the teams assigned to Operation Vala Umgodi.