WATCH | SANDF continues Gauteng crackdown for third day, targeting illegal mining | News24

Members of the South African National Defence Force conducted a door-to-door operation in Rietvallei targeting illegal miners on Friday.

• The SANDF discovered makeshift mines in houses, backyard rooms, and open fields, arresting several illegal miners, including two men found with cash.
• Residents applauded the soldiers’ efforts, expressing hope for restored order, while criticising past police operations.
• Soldiers emphasised the need for sustained action, highlighting the scale of the problem and their mission to restore law and order through classified operations.

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For a third day in a row, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have continued operations in Gauteng, this time conducting door-to-door operations in Rietvallei targeting illegal miners.

During the operation, soldiers searched several shacks believed to be used by illegal miners and confiscated equipment linked to mining activities.

Unlike Thursday, the police did not initially join the operation, only embarking on confiscations after soldiers began searching homes, much to the frustration of the military men and women.

News24 is on the ground, and observed soldiers confiscating goods that included machinery and gold-bearing material.

Some residents welcomed the presence of the soldiers.

An elderly woman whose shack was searched said residents were initially frightened at the sight of the army.

She added:

Soldiers uncovered extensive illegal mining activities, including holes dug in open fields behind homes and backyard rooms converted into makeshift mines.

Several suspected illegal miners were arrested during the operation, some caught in the act inside the houses.

Two men, carrying Mozambican passports, were found with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Initially denying involvement, they later confessed and pleaded for release.

Confiscated items included machinery, tools, and gold-bearing material.

A woman revealed that her mother rented a room in their house to illegal miners for R1 000 per month, where they processed gold. Despite her warnings, her mother refused to stop.

The woman expressed hope that the soldiers’ presence would restore order, adding that police operations in the past had been ineffective.

READ | SANDF deployment to fight crime, illegal mining could cost more than R800m

She claimed police officers regularly visited their home but failed to deter the illegal miners, who returned to operate with impunity.

Soldiers warned residents against renting their properties to illegal miners, prompting the woman to vow to confront her mother one last time.

Many community members welcomed the SANDF operation, applauding, whistling, and ululating as the convoy moved through the area. They expressed hope that the soldiers’ efforts would restore law and order.

Soldiers, speaking anonymously, expressed shock at the scale of illegal mining in the area, particularly on a single street. They emphasised the need for sustained efforts to combat the issue.

One soldier noted the positive reception from the community, saying, “We were not expecting this after the criticism we received a few days ago”.

Another soldier highlighted the classified nature of their operations, stating, “We don’t know where we will strike next. We receive briefings in the morning. Our mission is to restore order in the country”.

Soldiers also criticised the lack of earlier intervention, believing illegal mining could have been prevented before it spread uncontrollably. “The only way to bring change is to fight crime at every level of law enforcement,” one soldier remarked.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information.