By BAKANG MOKOTO
1 December 2025- Siphelele Mlangeni (26) and Bennett Mendi (42) were sentenced to R20 000 fine or six (6) years imprisonment by the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 26 November 2025, after they were found guilty of illegal mining and contravention of Immigration Act. The accused were arrested in August 2024 by members of the Vala Umgodi Task Team after they were caught mining chrome illegally in Witrantje village, near Sun City.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said following their arrest, they made several court appearances until they entered into a plea bargain with the state. Mathebula said they were found guilty of illegal mining and were sentenced to R20 000 fine or six years imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of illegal mining during the period of suspension.
“The court ordered them to pay an amount of R10 000 each on or before 3 December 2025. Meanwhile, on 26 November 2025, another three accused were sentenced on a separate matter to six years imprisonment for illegal mining and contravention of Immigration Act.
“Learnmore Mtapwa (27), Moses Maharabe (27) and Caiphus Moyo (40), were arrested by members of the Vala Umgodi Task Team in June 2024 in Tlhatlhaganyane village, near Sun City. It is reported that the accused were caught mining chrome without permits. They were apprehended and charged with illegal mining and contravention of Immigration,” he said.
Mathebula further said the accused made several court appearances until they entered into a plea bargain with the state. He said they were sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for illegal mining and half of which is suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension.
“They were sentenced to two years imprisonment for contravention of Immigration Act, which is suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension. The accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm and that they must be deported after serving their sentences,” said Mathebula.
The Guardian 