By Thys Khiba – Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed 20 suspects who are allegedly involved in illegal mining have been arrested in Stilfontein, North West on Monday.
This comes after the North West Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by members of the Hawks’ Tactical Management Section, Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, District Illegal Mining Task Team, Tactical Response Team, Bidvest Protea Coin, and Harmony Gold mine begin an early morning raid at a mine shaft in Stilfontein.
Mogale said law enforcement officials found fifteen (15) AK47s, six (6) hunting rifles, two (2) shotguns and one (1) R5, boxes full of ammunition, explosives and an undisclosed amount of money during the operation.
“The operation follows weeks of surveillance into the alleged illegal mining activities of the suspects resulting in the arrest of twenty (20) suspects and the seizure of fifteen (15) AK47s, six (6) hunting rifles, two (2) shotguns and one (1) R5, boxes full of ammunition, explosives and an undisclosed amount of money,” said Mogale.
The National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenanant General Godfrey Lebeya sent a message of warning to those of who are involved in similar activities, by saying that this is only just the beginning of such operations.
Lebeya continued to praise involved officials for the ‘excellent’arrests and seizures.
“The operation is ongoing and we cannot rule out the possibility of more arrests and more seizures.”
The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 12 October.
Twenty suspects will be facing preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit robbery to wit gold, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition and contravention of the immigration act.
CENTRAL NEWS
—————————————————————
DO YOU HAVE A NEWS STORY OR AN OPINION FOR CENTRAL NEWS: E-mail us : newsroom@centralnews.co.za or Whatsapp us on 0833989119
1 comment
[…] address opening of production plant Communist Party of China (CPC), The world’s best… 20 suspects in position of fifteen AK-47s arrested in Stilfontein MEC Makalo Mohale to meet with Dihlabeng Business… Applicants of R350 grant urged not to […]