President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that joint law enforcement operations under Operation Prosper have disrupted illegal mining across the Free State, Gauteng, and the Northwest provinces since the State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2026. Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Ramaphosa detailed substantial seizures of gold, vehicles, and weaponry carried out by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, and SAPS.
The joint security efforts relied on high-visibility policing, vehicle checkpoints, and air support to target illicit mining networks. According to Ramaphosa, more than 1,000 suspects were arrested during the operations. Law enforcement agencies also seized 19 firearms, over 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and 41 commercial vehicles.
Among the other confiscated items were roughly 150 kilograms of gold, nearly 2,000 kilograms of gold-bearing material, more than 1,000 refining drums, and 83 generators. Ramaphosa stated that these actions have disrupted, in reality, the operational and financial lifelines of illegal mining networks.
Challenges in Dismantling Organised Crime
Despite these tactical gains, Ramaphosa acknowledged that the current wave of arrests and seizures has not yet pointed to a reduction in organised crime. He noted that the vast geographic spread of these illegal activities makes the overall progress appear slow.
“Because we are dealing with a number of areas where these illegal activities are taking place, the progress might seem to be slow, and yet work is being done,” Ramaphosa said during the National Assembly session.
Numerous illegal shafts have already been sealed off by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to keep unauthorized ventures from moving back into cleared zones, with plans for additional closures down the line. Meanwhile, police and defence forces maintain a continuous presence through foot patrols, vehicle checkpoints, and air-to-ground monitoring systems to secure these vulnerable locations.
Did You Know? Operation Prosper deployments involve coordinated efforts between the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, and SAPS to target illegal mining through high-visibility policing and air support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What agencies are involved in Operation Prosper?
Personnel from SAPS, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) make up the teams carrying out these coordinated operations.
Which provinces have been targeted by these joint operations?
Operations have targeted illegal mining activities in the Free State, Gauteng, and the Northwest.
What specific items have been seized during the crackdown?
Law enforcement personnel confiscated 41 commercial vehicles, over 2,000 rounds of ammunition, 19 firearms, 83 generators, over 1,000 refining drums, nearly 2,000 kilograms of gold-bearing material, and approximately 150 kilograms of gold.
How will continued law enforcement presence and shaft closures permanently alter the future of illegal mining in these affected regions?