By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
29 November 2024- The High Court of South Africa held at Mahikeng granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) a Preservation Order. This is in terms of Section 38 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (the POCA) for Platinum Group Material (PGM), weighing approximately 6500 metric tons with an estimated value of R350 million.
The NPA regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said this is as well as a White Mercedes-Benz Vito on grounds that the Platinum Group Materials and the Mercedes-Benz Vito was proceeds of unlawful activities and or instrumentalities of an offence of illegal mining referred to in Schedule 1 to the POCA.
Gunya said the case emanates from illegal mining investigations, which started in November 2023 after the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPC) in Rustenburg received information from Impala Platinum Mine about PGM that was stolen from them.
“The DPCI conducted various investigations, which led to the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of the PGM and the Mercedes-Benz Vito. The suspects were arrested and subsequently released on bail.
“Their criminal case was postponed to 25 January 2025. The NPA presented to the court that illegal mining is a serious risk to the sustainability of the mining industry and poses a serious threat to national security, infrastructure and economic security,” he said.
Gunya further said this order will send out a strong message to criminals of organized crime involved in illegal mining and further that the NPA (AFU) is committed to fighting illegal mining in the North West. He added that the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West welcomed the order and congratulated the AFU unit for the great job done in ensuring that crime does not pay.
“The DPP lauded the collaboration between DPCI and the NPA which sees law enforcement agencies coming together to eradicate organized crime and fight against illegal mining in the province,” said Gunya.
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