By Thys Khiba – On Monday, the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court has postponed the bail hearing against two (2) of the twenty-one (21) suspected illegal miners, to 3 November 2022, for a further bail hearing.
The suspects were arrested during the operation on 10 by 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, when they embarked on an early morning raid at a mine shaft in Stilfontein on 10 October 2022.
During the arrests, the Hawks told Free State Central News that the operation follows weeks of surveillance into the alleged illegal mining activities of the suspects resulting in the arrest of twenty-one (21)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.
The other accused who was arrested at his home is accused of allegedly transporting food and goods to the illegal miners while on site.
His vehicle was also seized. His cross-examination is expected to commence when the matter resumes in court.
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“One of the accused was under cross-examination by his legal attorney when the case was adjourned, owing to the prison where they are detained closing at 16h00. The state intends to oppose bail,” said NPA regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
Mamothame indicated at least three (3) of the accused handed their passports and address statements to the investigating officer for verification, in a bid to also apply for bail.
The court has confirmed five of the suspects are South African citizens, while 16 are verified to be illegal in the country.
All arrested twenty suspects are expected to be represented bythe same private attorney.
Meanwhile the remaining accused sourced his own attorney, who was conducting cross-examination to secure bail for him.
Mamothame told media that they are studying the docket’s preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition and contravention of the immigration act, and not ruling out a possibility of adding more charges.
All the suspects will remain in police custody until the 03 November, Thursday for the next court appearance.
CENTRAL NEWS
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