Artisanal mining expert Kgothatso Nhlengetwa believes that powerful elites are behind illegal mining in South Africa. Nhlengetwa argues that Operation Vala Umgodi, which was launched to combat illegal mining, is merely addressing the symptoms rather than tackling the root causes of the problem.

Over 500 suspected illegal miners have been arrested at the Sheba Gold Mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga – most of them over the weekend.

[WATCH] 50 suspected illegal miners have appeared in an Mpumalanga court, with six granted bail of R2000 each. Artisanal Mining Expert Kgothatso Nhlengetwa says Operation Vala’ Umgodi is a good initiative but adds, “We are nipping the problem in the wrong place.” pic.twitter.com/Puq8sLW79I

— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 4, 2025

VIDEO | We are nipping the illegal mining problem in the wrong place: Kgothatso Nhlengetwa

The majority face charges related to contravening the Immigration Act and trespassing, while 60 others have been charged with possession of gold-bearing material.

WATCH| Artisanal Mining Expert Kgothatso Nhlengetwa provides insights into the challenges and dynamics of illegal and artisanal mining. pic.twitter.com/u9KjBi1iCM

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 6, 2024

Nhlengetwa says illegal mining is a well-organised criminal syndicate.

“That’s why you find South African gold going to countries like Dubai, Malaysia, Thailand, and we don’t know who gets it there. The Zama-Zamas that we’ve arrested in the past couple of days don’t know how to get gold from South Africa to those places,” adds Nhlengetwa.

She says it’s so invisible because it’s scarred within corporates, political circles and the elite of the country who makes sure that that line is never crossed.

“We never see this invisible few who actually run the syndicates of illegal mining,” she adds.