Approximately 1 000 illegal immigrants and illegal miners were retrieved from a mine in the Barberton area in Mpumalanga, with operations still under way as of Friday afternoon.

This is according to the South African Police Service (Saps), whose members are at the scene.

In a short statement released on social media on Friday, Saps said it’s working closely with other law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal mining activities through regular operations, visible policing, and intelligence-driven interventions.

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“These efforts aim to dismantle illegal mining networks, protect our natural resources, and ensure the safety of affected communities,” the social media post read.

“All necessary measures are being taken to maintain law and order.”

This is a developing story.