By Mapaballo Borotho
- Nine suspects, including five women, have been arrested for alleged illegal mining activities at Mashoboto Farm in Mpumalanga.
- Police also seized equipment and bags containing suspected gold-bearing material during the operation.
- The suspects are expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court while authorities verify their immigration status.
Five female suspects have been arrested for offences including illegal mining activities and possession of suspected gold-bearing material and equipment.
The women were arrested alongside four men at Mashoboto Farm in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
Police spokesperson Mpho Nonyane-Mpe said the four male suspects, aged between 20 and 63, were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa. The five female suspects were also arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.
Their arrest comes as members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) continue to raid illegal mining hotspots in Gauteng. On Thursday, the soldiers managed to confiscate hefty unlawful mining equipment in Randfontein.
The deployment of the Soldiers was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his 2026 State of the Nation Address. Ramaphosa said the SANDF will help the men and women in blue to fight crime, particularly in communities where illegal mining and gangsterism is rife.
Meanwhile, Police in Mpumalanga managed to recover several items believed to have been used in illegal mining activities.
“These include generators, jackhammers, hammers, gas cylinders, a cutting torch, iron rods, and bags containing suspected gold-bearing material,” said Nonyane-Mpe.
All the suspects are expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charges related to unlawful mining and being in the country illegally.
READ NEXT: Crime-hit communities wanted help, but the military deployment has been dubbed unlawful
The post Five women arrested for illegal mining activities in Mpumalanga appeared first on KAYA 959.
