Seven undocumented foreign nationals, aged between 20 and 28, were arrested during Operation Vala Umgodi in Karino, Nelspruit, on 25 July 2025. The operation was spearheaded by members of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Proactive and Combat Teams as part of an ongoing effort to curb illegal mining and related criminal activities in the province.

During a stop-and-search operation, the suspects failed to produce valid identification or permits that would authorise them to be in the Republic of South Africa. The officers arrested them on the spot for contravening the Immigration Act of South Africa.

The suspects were charged accordingly and remain in custody as officials from the Department of Home Affairs conduct further investigations to verify their nationalities and immigration statuses. The process will also determine whether the suspects have any pending cases or prior deportation orders against them.

The arrested individuals are scheduled to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on 28 July 2025, where they will face charges related to their unlawful presence in the country.

This arrest comes as part of intensified efforts by law enforcement to clamp down on illegal mining, unauthorised border crossings, and other forms of criminality often associated with unregulated migration. Operation Vala Umgodi has yielded numerous successes in recent months, with similar operations conducted across various parts of Mpumalanga.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the team for their diligence and ongoing commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and upholding the rule of law.

“I commend the members involved for their relentless efforts in maintaining law and order. These operations send a strong message that illegal activities, including unauthorised entry into the country, will not be tolerated. We will continue working with all relevant departments to ensure that our communities are safe and secure,” said Major General Mkhwanazi.