By OBAKENG MAJE
Twelve suspects were arrested for being in possession of gold-bearing material and Contravening the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) in three separate Vala Umgodi operations. In the first incident reported in the early hours of Wednesday (13 March 2024), the police on patrol, allegedly stopped a suspicious Toyota Quantum vehicle on the N12 road at a garage in Meiringspark, Klerksdorp.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, upon searching the vehicle, 61 bags containing gold bearing material were allegedly found, as well as nine persons of which eight are believed to be undocumented persons.
Myburgh said as a result, eight suspects between the ages of 20 and 42, briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 15 March 2024, for possession of gold bearing material and for Contravening the Immigration Act.
“They were remanded in custody until 16 May 2024. One of the suspects, who is only 14 years-old, was dealt with in terms of the Child Justice Act. In the second incident reported on 13 March 2024 at around 6pm, the police on patrol on the Klerksdorp/Orkney road, near Shiba Mine, observed a man putting soil in a bag.
“Upon seeing the police, he ran away. However, the police caught up with him. Jon Mateu Mhlanga (33) was arrested and appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court for possession of gold-bearing material and for Contravening the Immigration Act, 2002,” she said.
Myburgh further said Mhlanga was remanded in custody until 17 May 2024. She added that, in the third incident reported on 13 March at around 6:30pm, the police were at the Ariston Mine dump in Klerksdorp and allegedly found two suspects with 35kg of bags, containing gold-bearing material.
“They were immediately arrested and it was also found that they were in the country illegally. Remaketse Ntoa (36) and Maatekane Tsobo (24), briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 18 March 2024.
“They are facing charges of possession of gold-bearing material and for Contravening the Immigration Act, 2002. The pair were remanded in custody until 25 March 2024,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police for their commitment and cooperation that resulted in the arrests and seizures. Kwena said this will serve as a warning that the police will continue to work hard in dealing with illicit miners.
The Guardian 