Four Zimbabweans Among 198 “Zama Zamas” Arrested In Gauteng, SA

Four Zimbabwean nationals were among 198 suspected illegal miners who were arrested by South African Police during a major operation at the disused Losberg Kloof mine in Westonaria, Gauteng.

The vast majority of the suspects were found to be foreign nationals without documentation, Gauteng’s deputy police commissioner has said.

Major General Fred Kekana gave a breakdown of the arrests during a media briefing at the scene on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, where smoke was still visible in the background following the operation targeting zama zamas.

“We managed to arrest over 198 people. All of them for illegal mining,” Kekana told reporters.

Of those arrested, more than 107 are Lesotho nationals, four are Zimbabweans, over 56 are Mozambicans, and over 21 are South African nationals.

Four of the South African suspects face additional charges. One was found in possession of more than 120 rounds of AK-47 ammunition. The same four will also be charged with harbouring illegal immigrants.

Kekana said over 170 of those arrested would be charged for being in the country illegally. “All of those foreign nationals don’t have passports or any legal document to be in the country,” he said.

The arrests form part of ongoing police and military operations to combat illegal mining in Gauteng, which authorities say is linked to violent crime, weapons trafficking and underground fatalities.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court once processing is complete.

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