By OBAKENG MAJE
Eighteen illegal miners were sentenced to 120 days imprisonment by the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on 9 February 2024 for Contravention of Section 5 (a) of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002). The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said in addition, all Lesotho foreign nationals were each fined R5000 or 60 days imprisonment after being found guilty for being in the country illegally.
“The court further ordered that them to be deported. The accused persons, who consists of 15 Lesotho nationals and three South Africans aged between 19 and 53, were arrested in Stilfontein in September 2023 for illegal mining and Contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
“In another separate conviction for Contravention of Section 5 (a) of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002), 14 accused, who included nine Lesotho nationals and five Mozambicans, were each sentenced to 120 days imprisonment,” she said.
Funani further said, five Mozambique foreign nationals were individually fined R5000 or sentenced to 60 days imprisonment for Contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002). She added that, the accused persons’ sentencing emanated from their arrest during an operation led by the National Commissioner, General Masemola in Stilfontein in 2023.
“In another illegal mining related activity on 9 February 2024, the Klerksdorp-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Investigation Unit, Stilfontein Visible Policing, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Illicit Mining Task Team and National Intervention Unit, confiscated large quantities of goods destined for illegal miners underground.
“The confiscation came after the team received a tip-off regarding a storage facility, which was used to pack and wrap food stuff in Goud Street, in Stilfontein. The search was conducted at the facility and goods such as packets of maize meal, canned beef, cooking oil, ultra Mel custard, canned fish, snacks, soya mince, washing powder, paraffin, diesel, beers and rolls of plastic sheeting worth R482 000 were seized,” she said.
Funani said an enquiry was registered for further investigation. She said the goods were found and seized approximately 300 metres from Scott Shaft, where previous operations led to the seizure of 29 firearms, gold, food stuffs and other illegal mining paraphernalia.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended all members involved including the Hawks and other stakeholders for their active participation in the fight against illegal mining that resulted in the sentences and the confiscation of goods.
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