PRETORIA – Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers were killed during an anti-illegal mining operation under Operation Prosper in western Johannesburg on Friday.
According to the SANDF, the soldiers fell into an abandoned vertical mine shaft while pursuing suspected illegal miners at the abandoned CRD Mine at about 06:00.
An extensive rescue operation involving Mine Rescue Services and disaster management teams was launched, but both soldiers were declared dead at the scene.
Their identities have not been released as authorities are still notifying their next of kin.
The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Police have extended their condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen soldiers.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga, Secretary for Defence Bereng Mthimkhulu, and Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya also paid tribute to the two members.
“The South African National Defence Force mourns the loss of two dedicated members who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the nation,” the SANDF said in a statement.
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The incident underscores the dangers faced by security personnel deployed under Operation Prosper, a joint initiative supporting law enforcement efforts to combat illegal mining and organised crime.
The Ministry of Police, led by Minister Firoz Cachalia, Deputy Ministers Dr Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale, and Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, also expressed their condolences.
“The loss of these courageous soldiers is a devastating blow to the security cluster and the nation at large. We honour their commitment, dedication and selfless service in the fight against illegal mining and organised crime,” said Cachalia.
Lieutenant General Dimpane praised the SANDF’s ongoing partnership with SAPS in tackling illegal mining across the country.
“SANDF members have been invaluable partners in Operation Prosper and other crime-fighting initiatives. Their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. We remain committed to ensuring that the work they dedicated their lives to continues,” she said.
Despite the tragedy, Operation Prosper continued its enforcement activities on Thursday, recording further arrests and seizures linked to illegal mining.
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Police said 20 suspected illegal miners were arrested during operations in Gauteng. Nineteen of those arrested are undocumented foreign nationals, while one is a South African citizen.
The foreign nationals include nine Mozambicans, six Zimbabweans, three Malawians and one Lesotho national.
Authorities also seized a significant quantity of illegal mining equipment, including generators and phendukas, as well as 973,859 grams of gold-bearing material.
Between 1 April and 30 June 2026, joint SAPS and SANDF operations under Operation Prosper resulted in the arrest of 793 suspects in Gauteng. Of those, 595 were undocumented foreign nationals found to be in the country unlawfully. The operation forms part of the government’s broader effort to dismantle illegal mining syndicates operating in abandoned and active mining areas.
