Nine Mozambican nationals have been arrested during a crackdown on illegal mining in Mashoboto, amid ongoing violence that has repeatedly forced authorities to close the R539 in Schoemanskloof to protect motorists.

The suspects were arrested today, Friday October 03, during a multidisciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi targeting illegal mining activities in the area.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the arrests were made along the R539 as police and other law-enforcement agencies intensified operations in Mashoboto.

“Police are working collaboratively with officials from the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain the status of the arrested suspects in the country,” said Mdhluli.

The involvement of Home Affairs officials forms part of efforts to establish the immigration status of the arrested foreign nationals.

Police also seized pendukas and other mining equipment, as well as chemicals suspected to have been used in the processing of gold-bearing material.

The suspects are facing charges linked to illegal mining and possession of gold-bearing material. They are expected to appear in court in due course.

Gunfire shuts down Schoemanskloof.

The arrests come after a series of dangerous incidents in the Mashoboto area, where exchanges of gunfire between rival illegal mining groups have repeatedly threatened motorists using the R539.

The latest reported gunfight broke out at about 18:00 on September 30 and continued for approximately 40 minutes. Residents described the intense shooting as sounding like a war zone.

The violence prompted authorities to close the road again as a precaution, preventing motorists from travelling through the affected section while police responded to the situation.

The R539 has been closed several times over the past week amid reports of gunfire and deaths allegedly linked to clashes between rival groups operating in the illegal mining area.

A heavy police presence has since been deployed to Mashoboto as authorities continue operations aimed at disrupting illegal mining and addressing the violence associated with it.

The latest arrests are expected to form part of the broader investigation into illegal mining activities in the area, while Home Affairs officials determine the immigration status of the nine Mozambican nationals.