Suspects were arrested for illegal mining in Sabie, Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop, and Ngodwane, every day since Tuesday into the weekend.
The suspects are between the ages of 19 and 41.
The police (SAPS) said all suspects were arrested at different times, four (4) undocumented foreign nationals were in possession of gold-bearing material (GBM) and gold-bearing equipment (GBE), on Wednesday.
On Thursday, another was arrested in Sabie, also in possession of GBM and GBE.
Eight more were arrested at Majaks Village in Pilgrim’s Rest.
On Friday, two more people, were arrested in the Ngodwane area (Mashobodo) for the contraventions of the Liquor Act. During the operation, the police seized a significant quantity of illegal mining equipment, including generators and jackhammers.
On Saturday, more were arrested, about 11, also in possession of GBM and GBE, at Majaks Village in Pilgrim’s Rest.
The suspects were to appear in the local Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 April 2026.
Picture: SAPS newsroom.