A helicopter crash-landed during a major illegal-mining raid in Mphahla, Fochville, on Tuesday morning, leaving the pilot and passengers with minor injuries.
The incident happened during Operation Prosper/Karabo, a joint operation that resulted in the arrest of 121 suspected illegal miners and the recovery of five firearms, including three pistols.
The operation involved the South African Police Service in Gauteng, the South African National Defence Force, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs and Sibanye-Stillwater’s tactical security team.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the operation began at 3am on Tuesday. SANDF members first cordoned off the operational area before police and the mine’s tactical security team moved in.
The operation targeted illegal mining and related criminal activity in and around Mphahla village, where suspected miners were believed to be operating in the mountainous area.
“Five firearms, including three pistols, one AK-47 rifle and a self-made pistol together with ammunition, were recovered during the operation, as well as illegal mining equipment such as phendukas, gas bottles and gold-bearing material,” Nevhuhulwi said.
A phenduka is equipment used in illegal mining and processing operations. Police also recovered gas bottles and material believed to contain gold.
Helicopter loses power during patrol
At approximately 7.30am, a Sibanye-Stillwater helicopter with registration ZS-HJP was carrying out its second patrol flight over Mphahla in support of the operational teams when it crash-landed.
According to police, the pilot had identified a group of suspected illegal miners on a mountain and was flying west along a ridge when the aircraft experienced low power.
The pilot selected what appeared to be a safe landing area. However, wind coming from the mountain created a rotor downdraft, forcing the helicopter downwards.
The aircraft crash-landed during the operation. Pilot Adam Fowls and passengers, including personnel from Sibanye-Stillwater’s protection services, sustained minor injuries.
No deaths were reported in the helicopter incident. The injured pilot and passengers were assessed after the crash-landing, although further medical details were not immediately provided.
The helicopter was written off, with the damage estimated at approximately R10 million.
The accident happened while the aircraft was assisting ground teams involved in the operation. Police have not indicated that the crash was caused by gunfire or contact with the suspected illegal miners. The preliminary explanation given was that the aircraft experienced low power and was affected by a rotor downdraft.
More than 120 suspects arrested
The operation led to the arrest of 121 people suspected of being involved in illegal mining. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
The arrests were made as the joint team worked through the operational area after the SANDF had helped secure and cordon off the site. Police, mine security personnel and other participating agencies then moved into the area to identify suspects, recover equipment and gather evidence.
The firearms recovered included three pistols, an AK-47 rifle and a self-made pistol. Ammunition was also seized.
The recovery of the firearms has added a criminal dimension to the illegal-mining investigation. Police will now need to establish who possessed the weapons, whether they were linked to other crimes and whether the suspects will face additional charges beyond those related to illegal mining.
The authorities also recovered phendukas, gas bottles and gold-bearing material. These items are expected to form part of the evidence gathered during the raid.
Operation continues
Nevhuhulwi said Operation Prosper would continue targeting illegal mining and related criminal activity in Gauteng.
The operation brings together police, military personnel, immigration officials and private mine security. Their involvement reflects the scale of the challenge faced in areas where illegal mining is linked to the unauthorised extraction and processing of gold-bearing material.
The arrested suspects’ court appearances will provide an opportunity for the state to set out the charges against them. Police have not yet provided the court location or the specific charges each suspect may face.
The helicopter crash is also likely to be examined as part of the relevant aviation and operational procedures. The aircraft’s registration, the patrol route, the weather and wind conditions and the circumstances surrounding the reported low-power event will all be important in understanding how the accident happened.
For now, the operation has produced a major arrest haul and the recovery of firearms and mining equipment, but it also ended with a costly helicopter accident. The pilot and passengers suffered minor injuries, while the damaged aircraft was estimated to be worth about R10 million.