By REGINALD KANYANE
8 January 2025- Ten 10 Lesotho, 4 Mozambique and 5 Zimbabwe undocumented foreign nationals aged between 20 and 43, were sentenced to six months imprisonment or a R12 000 fine each by the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court for illegal mining on 31 December 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said this is the second batch of illegal miners for illicit mining and contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002.
Mokgwabone said the sentences are wholly suspended for the period of five years on condition that the accused persons are not convicted for contravention of Section 5A of Act 28 of 2002 as amended by Act 49 of 2008 and read with Section 1, illegal mining committed during the period of suspension.
“The accused were further sentenced to three months imprisonment or R6000 fine, which is wholly suspended for the period of five years on condition that they are not convicted for contravention of Section 49(1) (a) read with Section 1, 9(3) & (4) of Act No. 13 of 2002 (illegal immigrant – illegal entry) committed during the period of suspension.
“Following the sentences, the accused were on 7 January 2025, deported to their countries of origin by the Department of Home Affairs. The accused were arrested at Margaret Shaft, where they resurfaced in November 2024. This group was sentenced 20 days after the first one,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said, five illegal miners resurfaced at Margaret Shaft on Tuesday morning, 7 January 2024. He added that this brings the total number of illegal miners arrested between 18 August 2024 and 7 January 2025, to 1 567.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed the conviction and subsequent deportation of the convicts, and reiterated that Operation Vala Umgodi will continue to ensure that those who commit crime are dealt with in accordance with the law.
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