Over 480 illegal miners appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court yesterday including four miners.
They are facing multiple charges including trespassing, theft of gold-bearing material and Contravention of the Immigration Act.
The accused were arrested at Barberton Mine on Friday, August 1 during a joint operation between Sheba Mine and the police, a long-running operation, Vala Umgodi, aimed at rooting out illegal mining syndicates.
The court granted 26 accused bail of R2000.00 each after it was considered that the accused have no previous convictions, have fixed addresses and without pending cases. It warned the accused not to commit any offence while out on bail.
READ | 33 illegal immigrants arrested during operation
The state intends to oppose bail to the accused with previous convictions and pending cases. All other accused were remanded in custody and the matter has been postponed to 11-12 August 2025 for verification of addresses and possible bail application.
