In a fight against illegal mining in Welkom members of the SA National Defence Force, working alongside the SA Police Service, successfully carried out a targeted operation under Operation PROSPER: Illicit Mining and Anti-Criminality.
On 25 April 2026, Alpha Company from 1 Special Service Battalion conducted a cordon-and-search operation at a house in Honey Park, Bronville. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining and related criminal activities in the Free State Province.
During the operation, one Zimbabwean national was arrested for being in the country illegally. The suspect was also found in possession of gold-bearing material believed to be linked to illegal mining.
The following items were seized:
• 2 gas cylinders (9 kg and 48 kg);
• 2 cutting torches and
• 48 bottles of BronCleer codeine cough syrup (100 ml)
The suspect and all seized items were handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation and processing.
Article contribution by Second Lieutenant Sfiso Nyathi || Company Communication Officer || 1 Special Service Battalion and Photographs by Lieutenant Natasha Nkuna, Platoon Commander, Operation PROSPER.
