On Friday, 22 August 2025, the South African Police Service conducted an operation Vala Umgodi, targeting illegal mining activities in the Benoni policing precinct, Ekurhuleni District. The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects for illegal mining and illegal immigration.
During the operation, the police seized a significant amount of equipment and materials, including pendukas, gas bottles, oxygen bottles, steel pots, stampers, spades, shovels, pangas, steel balls, gold-bearing material, electric cords, plastic basins, a crusher machine, pickaxes, drive belts, and grinders.