Armed groups enter farms, cut fences, damage water infrastructure, and start veld fires

Illegal mining in Limpopo has grown into an organised-crime economy involving violence, intimidation, and destruction of property.

This is the warning from Jacques Smalle, a member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, who has called on the government to act.

He said that communities in the Kuschke, Ysterberg, and Eerstegoud area, between Mokopane and Polokwane, continue to suffer from illegal mining.

These communities have lost faith in the government and the South African Police Service to act against the criminals.

The illegal mining syndicates have expanded their operations in the Bergnek and Eerstegoud area, which has been going on for years.

In September 2022, parliamentary committees on Mineral Resources, Police and Home Affairs conducted oversight at hotspots around Bergnek and the Eersteling Gold Mine.

The situation has, however, escalated sharply in recent years. Farmers reported a marked increase in illegal mining activity from around August 2024.

By September 2025, residents estimated that at least 100 illegal miners were operating in the area.

Farmers reported armed groups trespassing on properties, cutting fences, damaging water and irrigation infrastructure and starting veld fires.

Residents also reported intimidation, gun battles between rival groups, and the discovery of bodies in the area.

Despite years of official attention, repeated SAPS operations and continued warnings from residents, illegal mining remains entrenched.

“This is no longer a zama-zama problem. It is an organised-crime economy operating in plain sight,” said Smalle.

The miners on the ground are only the visible end of a larger illicit economy involving equipment, transport, buyers, financiers, and networks.

“Arresting individual illegal miners while those who organise and profit from the trade remain untouched merely disrupts the activity until it starts again,” he said.

“Illegal mining destroys property, fuels violence and corruption, undermines legitimate economic activity and allows criminal syndicates to flourish.”

He urged the government and the police to catch the criminals and dismantle the syndicates. “Convict the organisers, financiers, buyers and enablers,” he said.

“We call on newly appointed Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers and Premier Phophi Ramathuba to take decisive action,” he said.