Tons of illegal mining equipment destroyed

The destruction took place at the Reclaim Metal company in Dunswart.

May 23, 2025

Ntombikayise Letlepo 1 minute read

Some of the pendukas and other illegal mining equipment destroyed as part of the SAPS efforts to curb illegal mining.

The police destroyed a large quantity of mining equipment seized during Operation Vala Umgodi in Benoni and surrounding areas.

The destruction took place recently at the Reclaim Metal company in Dunswart, where they dismantled confiscated items, including pendukas, penduka pots, gas bottles, and generators.

According to Ekurhuleni district SAPS spokesperson Captain Nelda Sekgobela, this was part of the SAPS’s ongoing strategy to prevent and combat illegal mining-related crimes and dismantle the operations and infrastructure that fuel this crime in the region.

Deputy district commissioner Brigadier Lebohang Machakela removes some of the illegal mining equipment stored at the Benoni SAPS to be destroyed.

Operation Vala Umgodi, “close the shaft,” is a nationwide initiative launched to clamp down on illegal mining activities by sealing off disused mine shafts and removing criminal elements.

The operation has already resulted in the arrest of multiple suspects and the seizure of substantial quantities of equipment used in illegal mining.

Also Read: Boy (11) drowns in water-filled illegal mining hole

Also Read: WATCH: Illegal mining in Benoni: Operation Close the Holes is here