Police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says the suspects, who are between the ages of 24 and 42, were found in possession of gold dust as well as mining equipment with an estimated value of over R 1 million. According to Mokgwabone, police received a tip-off regarding alleged illegal mining activity at a house in Khuma which is located outside the mining town of Stilfontein. When authorities arrived at the scene to investigate, two of the suspects attempted to flee, but ended up being apprehended. A third suspect was arrested inside the house in question which had mining equipment, generators, electric motors, drills and processed gold inside. Mokgwabone says police were busy with investigations when they noticed suspicious equipment outside a second house located not too far from the residence police had been tipped-off about.

“The couple residing at the second house fled when they spotted the police, but were later arrested. During the search at the second house, the police confiscated more mining equipment, generators, electric motors, drills, processed gold dust and explosives,” says Mokgwabone. A sixth suspect was arrested in Potchefstroom. He is believed to be the owner of the first house. Mokgwabone says they do not know if the teams are a part of a syndicate in the area as yet. The matter has now been referred to the Hawks.

All six suspects – including the one arrested in Potchefstroom – will appear in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 25. They will each be facing the following charges: illegal mining, illegal refining of gold, illegal possession of gold-bearing material, illegal possession of suspected stolen goods and illegal possession of explosives.”

OFM News