By: OrePulse

South African police arrested 92 suspected illegal miners in a raid at West Village in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, authorities said, as part of a continuing multi-agency operation against illegal mining in the province.

The operation got underway on Monday, October 19, according to police. Members of the South African National Defence Force first moved to cordon off the area, after which police officers and officials from the Department of Home Affairs carried out the enforcement action on the ground, police said.

During the operation, officers recovered two firearms together with ammunition, police said. Also seized were items of illegal mining equipment, including phendukas and gas cylinders, as well as explosives, according to police.

Police said the raid was part of Operation Prosper/Karabo, which they described as an ongoing, multidisciplinary effort against illegal mining, gangsterism and related organized crime in Gauteng.

According to police, all 92 people taken into custody were suspected of involvement in illegal mining activity at the site. Authorities did not disclose further details on the suspects' identities, nationalities, or the status of any charges or court appearances.

Police did not provide additional information on the scale, duration or specific targets of Operation Prosper/Karabo beyond the Krugersdorp raid.