The Ministry of Police, led by Minister Firoz Cachalia, Deputy Ministers Dr. Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale, and Acting SAPS National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has expressed profound condolences following the deaths of two SANDF members during an illegal mining operation. The incident occurred on Friday in Gauteng under Operation Prosper, a joint initiative targeting illegal mining. Preliminary reports indicate that the soldiers were pursuing suspected illegal miners in an underground tunnel when they fell into an abandoned mine shaft. The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.