The foreign nationals were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on Gauteng's West Rand as part of Operation Gillette.

The multi-disciplinary operation, comprising the Hawks, police and the Department of Home Affairs, is meant to curb illegal mining.

ALSO READ: Six suspected illegal mining kingpins arrested in the West Rand

An eighth person is on the run, while two others have been taken in for questioning.

The Gauteng Hawks, who led the operation, pounced on eight properties in Carletonville and Khutsong, west of Johannesburg.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the vehicles seized at the properties included an Audi A3, Range Rover Evoque, Ford Ranger Raptor, VW Golf R, VW Amarok, a VW T-Roc, and a truck.

BREAKING NEWS: Seven alleged zamazama kingpins were arrested this morning when the Hawks raided their homes in Carletonville and Khutsong. Nine luxury cars were seized at the residences. Our reporter @EversonLuhanga is following the story in Khutsong ext. pic.twitter.com/EuaKDKtWXz

— Scrolla Africa (@ScrollaAfrica) October 4, 2022

Mogale said the cheapest vehicle seized was valued at around R800 000.

Four of the vehicles were recovered from a house in Khutsong, which belonged to a 38-year-old foreign national, she added. The legality of some suspects in the country is being probed.

[NOW] 13 high performance cars and a truck have been seized. The vehicles will be taken to the Vehicle identification and safe guarding section. The Hawks and SAPS confirm that 7 suspects are currently in police custody. Two others have been taken in for questioning. @eNCA pic.twitter.com/lMYcmB2AMM

— Pule Letshwiti-Jones (@pule_jones) October 4, 2022

According to Mogale, they are believed to be processing precious metals, including gold, in South Africa and selling it outside the country. They are expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

News24