Daily Archives: September 8, 2024

Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources welcomes the arrests of alleged illegal miners in Rustenburg

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Picture: The manmade hole in a house in Tlhabane/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE

8 September 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mikateko Mahlaule, has welcomed the arrest of two men aged 65 and 31, for allegedly renting out one of the bedrooms inside their house for illegal mining activities. Mahlaule said it is reported that some illegal miners were also arrested.

He further said the media reports say that the incident took place at the Nkandla Informal Settlement, in Rustenburg. Mahlaule added that there is a manhole inside one of the bedrooms, which is alleged to be used to access Khuseleka Shaft of Sibanye Stillwater to steal copper cables.

“We applaud the brave members of the community, who alerted the police about the suspicious movements of people in-and-out of the said house. Rustenburg is another illegal mining hot spot in the North West after Klerksdorp.

“The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy in the 6th term of Parliament, visited both areas together with other illegal mining hot spots in Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, as well as Mpumalanga and recommended for a streamlined approach to this scourge between law enforcement agencies, the then Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, affected communities, and mining companies,” he added.

Mahlaule said this incident is a classic case of the unity of purpose between the community, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Sibanye Stillwater Mine. He said they welcome the arrests and call for law enforcement agencies to spare no effort in further investigations to ensure that the entire value-chain is brought to book and ultimately collapsed.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said the police had arrested eight more illegal miners aged between 16 and 45, on 6 and 7 September 2024. Funani said these suspects allegedly decided to stay underground when they were trying to evade arrest.

“It is alleged that when they saw the police coming into a house in Tlhabane Township, they used to enter Khusela Mine. They were arrested after they decided to finally come out. Out of the 10 arrested suspects, four are South Africans, and six are foreign nationals.

“The 10 suspects are expected to appear in Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court on 9 September 2024,” she said.

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House owner and his compliance nabbed for illegal mining

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Picture: The man-made hole in one of the bedrooms of the accused/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE

8 September 2024 – A homeowner (65) and his accomplice (31), are expected to appear before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 9 September 2024, for illegal mining, tampering with and/or damaging of essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen goods. 

The suspect was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning, 5 September 2024, at Nkandla Informal Settlement, near Khuseleka 1 mine by Tlhabane Visible Policing, Royal Bafokeng Tactical Team and Rustenburg Public Safety.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said the police received a tip-off and arrested two suspects for illegal mining, tampering with and/or damaging of essential infrastructure and possession of suspected stolen goods. 

“It is alleged that the home owner, who resides with his family, used and/or allowed a group of men to utilise one of the bedrooms as an entrance to the nearby Khuseleka Mine Shaft. 

“Upon noticing the police, an unconfirmed number of men entered and disappeared into the man-made hole in the bedroom, while the other two including the owner of the house were arrested,” she said.

Funani said: “With the assistance of the mine security team, some of the mine property and other equipment were found inside the house. A search for other suspects is continuing.” 

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the arrests and thanked the team for their concerted efforts in addressing illegal mining activities. 

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An alleged notorious livestock thief remanded in custody

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Picture: An alleged notorious livestock thief, Moses Matshego/Supplied  

By BAKANG MOKOTO

8 September 2024 – An alleged notorious livestock thief, Moses Matshego (39), who was arrested on 4 September 2024, near Itsoseng Township, near Lichtenburg, will remain in custody. This comes after Matshego briefly appeared in Ditsobotla Magistrate’s Court in Itsoseng on 6 September 2024. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said Matshego was arrested on Wednesday morning, 4 September 2024, by the Mahikeng Stock theft and Endangered Species (STES) unit members, near Itsoseng after a tip-off about suspected stolen cattle loaded in a truck.

“The police managed to arrest the suspect who was found in possession of 15 cattle worth R150 000. According to information, the accused had already branded the cattle with his brand mark.   

“The preliminary investigation into the matter showed that the cattle were allegedly stolen from different places in and around Mahikeng and Itsoseng,” she said.

Funani further said it was further established that the accused was previously charged on several stock theft cases in the province, although some were withdrawn due to investigation related queries. She added that the possibility of linking Matshego with more cases cannot be ruled out.

His stock theft case was postponed until 12 September 2024.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the members of STES for their quick response that resulted in the seizure of cattle and apprehension of the accused for stock theft, which is one of the problematic crimes.

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Police are looking for missing Maryanne Venter

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Picture: The missing Maryanne Venter/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

8 September 2024- The police in Mooinooi request the community’s assistance in locating Maryanne Venter (17), who is residing at Plot 52 Bokfontein. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, Venter was last seen by her family on 5 September 2024.

“Venter is mentally challenged. She left her home without telling anyone where she was going. A search was conducted around the plot and surrounding areas of Mooinooi without any success.

“At the time of her disappearance, Venter was wearing black sleepers, white short-sleeved T-shirt and green short trousers. She is short, has a slender body, brown eyes and short curly hair,” she said.

Funani further said anyone with information regarding her whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Andile Molate of Mooinooi Detectives on 060 970 9200 or can alternatively call Crime Stop on ‪08600 10111. She added that anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smartphone.

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The third suspect on business robbery case nabbed  

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By REGINALD KANYANE

8 September 2024- The third suspect (35) on an alleged business robbery at Brits Mall has been arrested. On 29 July 2024, the shop had just opened at around 8am, and the employees were still entering the shop when two suspects stormed into the shop.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said two suspects, Reborn Chiloane (31) and Regomoditswe Mmethi (29), threatened the employees with firearms. Myburgh said they were ordered to hand over cash and also took cellular phones and laptops before they fled from the shop.

“On 7 August 2024, the police received a tip-off and operationalised it. This led to the arrest of Chiloane and Mmethi. The police also seized eight stolen cellular phones and two laptops.

“They briefly appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 7 August 2024, in connection with an alleged business robbery at Brits Mall. They were both employees at the shop, where the robbery took place,” she said.

Myburgh further said a third suspect was arrested on 8 August 2024, by the dedicated police investigators. She added that all three suspects will appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 12 August 2024, on a charge of business robbery.  

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated Brits Detectives for acting swiftly and arresting the suspects. Kwena said the police will continue to work hard to ensure that criminals are put behind bars.

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