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Approximately 1,000 illegal immigrants and illegal miners are currently being retrieved from a mine in the Barberton area.
83 suspected illegal miners arrested at the Sheba gold mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga, have each been granted bail of R2 000.
Over 400 suspects, including South Africans and migrants, appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court yesterday. They were arrested during the police-led operation Val’Umgodi at the mine.
The suspects face charges of violating the Immigration Act and trespassing. Some are also charged with possession of gold-bearing materials.
The case has been postponed to Monday next week.
#sapsMP [BREAKING NEWS] Approximately 1,000 illegal immigrants and illegal miners are currently being retrieved from a mine in the Barberton area.
SAPS is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to tackle #illegalmining activities through regular operations, visible… pic.twitter.com/AZjQYGubI9
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 1, 2025
VIDEO | Over 400 illegal miners started arriving in batches at Barberton Magistrates’ Court