Deputy President Paul Mashatile has confirmed that the government is ramping up intelligence-led operations to tackle illegal mining across Gauteng, particularly in East and West Rand communities. Speaking during a session in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday, Mashatile addressed concerns about unlawful mining activity in the Gugulethu and Sporong informal settlements near Randfontein, describing it as a grave danger to both local communities and the broader economy.
Mashatile noted that illegal mining is frequently tied to transnational crime networks, undocumented migration, illicit financial flows and the spread of unlawful firearms. He said Operation Vala Umgodi and similar initiatives are being bolstered through the deployment of specialised units, the disruption of supply networks, arrests of offenders and syndicate bosses, and the confiscation of equipment and contraband, with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) working to secure convictions.
A multi-departmental approach is under way, with the South African Police Service, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Department of Home Affairs collaborating to address the crisis. The South African National Defence Force has also been deployed to back police operations targeting illegal mining and gang-related violence, strengthening NATJOINTS coordination and ongoing monitoring to prevent criminal activity from resurfacing.
The Deputy President further outlined the government's 12-dimensional National Illicit Economy Disruption Programme, designed to counter the threat of illegal and counterfeit goods undermining South African employment and industrial competitiveness. Funding has been secured to roll out the programme, which will focus enforcement on high-risk sectors suffering significant revenue losses and deep-rooted syndicate operations, including illegal mining, fuel smuggling and port-linked illicit trade.
On the issue of corruption within the police service, Mashatile said the government continues to bolster detection and prevention measures. These include the Anti-Corruption Task Team established in 2010 to probe high-level graft, technology-driven case management systems to limit manual interference, and operational reforms such as improved crime scene management and specialised units like the Anti-Gang Unit. Whistle-blower safeguards have been strengthened through National Instruction 18 of 2019, with reporting channels including the National Anti-Corruption Hotline and internal ethics platforms. Oversight bodies such as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, the Public Protector and the Auditor-General also play a role in rooting out misconduct.
Internal vetting and screening of priority personnel — including those in Crime Intelligence, supply chain management and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation — are being reinforced through lifestyle reviews, financial disclosure analysis and forensic audits where fraud allegations arise. Mashatile added that the President's recent State of the Nation Address announcement of 5 500 additional police recruits, coupled with tighter firearm legislation enforcement, underscores the government's resolve to strengthen policing capacity across the country.
