GAUTENG — A major multi-agency law enforcement crackdown known as Operation Prosper has led to the arrest of a heavily armed suspect and the recovery of a stolen rifle in Westonaria. The joint security initiative, launched to address rising criminal activities near the Sibanye Gold Mine, successfully disrupted illegal operations and significantly enhanced police visibility in the region’s mining communities.
Conducted on Thursday, 13 August 2026, the strategic sweep targeted the Driefontein Mine and Losberg Mountain areas within the Westonaria policing precinct. The high-visibility operation was a collaborative effort involving Gauteng police, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Public Order Policing (POP), Visible Policing (VISPOL), and Sibanye Protection Services.
During the sweep at Losberg Mountain, authorities apprehended a 28-year-old male suspect. According to Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Mathebula, the individual faces multiple serious charges, including the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as contravention of the Immigration Act.
The bust yielded a substantial cache of illegal weapons and munitions. Officers recovered one rifle—which was previously reported stolen in Benoni—along with 118 rounds of pistol ammunition and 547 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
The suspect is expected to appear before the court soon to face the pending charges. Emphasizing the broader impact of the initiative, police leadership noted that Operation Prosper demonstrates an unwavering commitment by law enforcement and their partners to intensify efforts against crime, disrupt syndicates, and ensure the safety and security of communities living in the shadow of the province’s mining belts. Police investigations into the matter are actively continuing.
Â
Â