The Day of Goodwill saw the arrest of 19 zama zamas, including a convicted murderer out on parole, as well as the seizure of three firearms near Barberton in Mpumalanga.

According to an article published by Lowvelder, the successful intelligence-driven operation formed part of the greater Operation Vala Umgodi, an ongoing multi-agency operation aimed at rooting out illegal mining and human trafficking in South Africa.

Led by the SAPS, the operation also draws on the skills and expertise of other agencies such as the SANDF and the departments of Home Affairs and Mineral Resources and Energy.

Among the suspects, aged between 22 and 39, were 11 foreign nationals and eight South African citizens.

The operation was triggered when Crime Intelligence received information about illegal mining activities in an abandoned mine near Barberton. The SAPS and the SANDF’s Improvised Explosive Demolition Devices Team cornered the suspects and seized some items, including a shotgun, a revolver, a stolen 303 rifle, about 32 rounds of live ammunition, one cartridge case and a range of explosives.

Preliminary investigations suggest one of the suspects, aged 39, who was found in possession of one of the firearms, is out on parole on a murder sentence. Some of the other suspects found in possession of explosives are facing charges of illegal mining, while others were charged with contravention of the Immigration Act 2002.

The suspects are expected to spend the weekend behind bars before appearing in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.