Representatives from various law-enforcing agencies cracked down on Mphahla Village early this morning (September 29).

This informal housing area is near East Driefontein but falls in the Fochville policing precinct.

According to Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi various units of the police in Gauteng, in collaboration with members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Immigration officers from Department of Home Affairs and Sibanye-Stillwater’s tactical security team, arrested 121 suspected illegal miners and recovered five firearms during Operation Prosper/Karabo.

The operation commenced at 03:00 with SANDF members cordoning off the operational area before police and the mine’s tactical security team moved in to operate.

Five firearms, including three pistols, one  AK-47 rifle and self-made pistol together with ammunition were recovered during the operation as well as illegal mining equipment such as phendukas, gas bottles and gold bearing material.

Operation Prosper continues to target illegal mining activities and associated criminality in Gauteng.