Police and soldiers have arrested 121 suspected illegal miners and recovered five firearms during a major Operation Prosper/Karabo crackdown in Mphahla village, within the Fochville policing precinct on the West Rand.

The operation, conducted in the early hours of Tuesday, involved various units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Department of Home Affairs immigration officers and Sibanye-Stillwater’s tactical security team.

The operation began at about 3 am, with SANDF members first cordoning off the area before police and the mine’s tactical security team moved in.

According to Gauteng police, five firearms were recovered, including three pistols, an AK-47 rifle and a homemade firearm.

A quantity of ammunition was also seized.

Police recovered equipment allegedly linked to illegal mining, including phendukas, gas bottles and gold-bearing material.

The latest arrests come as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations and associated criminality across Gauteng, particularly in communities on the West Rand where residents have repeatedly raised concerns about violence and intimidation linked to illegal mining.

The crackdown also comes days after the deadly shooting at a tavern in Wedela, near Carletonville, where the death toll rose to 18 after a wounded victim died in hospital.

The shooting on Saturday night initially left 17 people dead and 15 injured after armed men opened fire on patrons inside and outside the tavern.

Police said the attackers were armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols and allegedly searched some victims and stole their cellphones before fleeing in two vehicles. Two vehicles were also set alight.

The motive remains under investigation.

However, reports have raised the possibility of a link to conflict between illegal mining gangs. It’s been reported that illegal miners, commonly known as zama zamas, operate in the area and that powerful gangs control parts of the illicit gold mining trade.

Police have not confirmed that the Wedela massacre was carried out by zama zamas or that illegal mining was the motive.

The shooting has nevertheless heightened concerns about violence in communities affected by illegal mining.

Residents in other parts of the West Rand have previously described living in fear because of alleged intimidation and violence linked to illegal miners.

In January, hundreds of residents from the Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein fled their homes following alleged threats and violence linked to illegal miners.

Residents told journalists that they had been subjected to intimidation and alleged theft, with community members saying they feared for their lives.

In March, Rietvallei residents in Krugersdorp also described violence between different groups of illegal miners and expressed fears about reporting criminal activity.

One resident told journalists that residents felt trapped between authorities and illegal miners, while another said violence between mining groups had made the area dangerous.

Residents have also raised concerns about robberies, break-ins and shootings associated with criminal activity around illegal mining areas.

The scale of the danger has extended to security forces themselves.

In July, two SANDF members died during Operation Prosper after falling into an abandoned vertical mine shaft while pursuing suspected illegal miners at the CRD Mine in western Johannesburg.

The soldiers were identified as Lance Corporal Sobanathi Luke and Private Siphelele Seti, both members of 1 Parachute Battalion.

Their deaths highlighted the dangers faced by police and soldiers operating in abandoned and unstable mine workings.

Operation Prosper has continued despite the risks.

In July, more than 70 suspected illegal miners were arrested during another operation in Mohlakeng, while authorities seized suspected gold-bearing material and mining equipment.

Tuesday’s operation in Fochville is the latest intervention involving multiple law enforcement agencies and private mine security.

Police said Operation Prosper would continue targeting illegal mining and criminality associated with the illegal extraction of minerals in Gauteng.

The 121 suspects arrested in Mphahla village will face the relevant legal processes, while investigations into the firearms, ammunition and alleged illegal mining activities continue.