19 illegal miners sentenced to two years imprisonment

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Nineteen illegal miners were sentenced to two years imprisonment by the Stilfontein magistrates’ court on Wednesday.

The convicts, aged between 20 and 40 included 14 Lesotho, four Mozambique and one Zimbabwe undocumented foreign nationals.

The accused are part of scores of illegal miners arrested Vala Umgodi operations in November 2024, after resurfacing at Margaret shaft.

According to North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the sentence is wholly suspended for the period of five years on condition that the accused person is not convicted for illegal mining committed during the period of suspension.

He said in addition, each accused person was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine of R6000.00, which is wholly suspended for the period of five years on condition that the accused person is not convicted for contravention of Section 49 during the period of suspension.

Mokgwabone revealed that the department of home affairs is currently processing the convicts for deportation.

In another incident, members of the police and private security companies a 39-year-old male busy with open cast illegal mining activity during patrols in and around Bronville dumping site.

Gold bearing material weighing at 55.36 kilograms and gold processing equipment were seized, confirmed Free State police spokesperson Lt Col Thabo Covane.

More suspects nabbed for illegal mining

He stated that a case of possession of suspected gold bearing material with and additional charge of contravention of immigration act was opened at Bronville police station.

Furthermore, a 36-year-old suspect was also nabbed after being found busy with illegal surface mining activity at ARM 6 Old Shaft.

“Gold bearing material weighing at 46.22 kilograms together with a steel plate, pick axe, a wheelbarrow and two garden spades were seized.

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“A case docket of possession of suspected gold bearing material, trespassing on mine area and contravention of immigration act was opened at Welkom police station,” Covane explained.

Meanwhile, an employee who is a Rock Drill Operator was arrested in Kopanang Mine after gold bearing amalgam was found hidden in his mask during the search.

According to Covane, a case of conspiracy to commit crime: assisting illegal miners with an added charge of attempted theft of state minerals and precious metals was opened at Vierfontein police station.

Covane said all suspects will appear before court soon.