Africa-Press – South-Africa. Four of six alleged illegal mining kingpins were denied bail in the Carletonville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Bethuel Ngobeni, 38, Nhlahla Leon Magwaca, 26, Thabo Prince Sechele, 34, and Moseki Sechele, 28, are part of a group of men who were arrested during “Operation Gillette”, which was led by the Hawks, the home affairs department officials, and police.
Co-accused Dumisani Moyo was denied bail on 27 October, while Khudzai Mashaya abandoned his bail application.
During court proceedings on Tuesday, Ngobeni and Magwaca stated in their affidavits that they were South African citizens and that they had emotional ties to the country.
State witness Mothusi Letsogo, from the Department of Home Affairs, told the court that the men had fraudulently obtained South African identity documents.
The court heard that Ngobeni’s real name was Zingaiyi Dhliwayo and that Magwaca was actually James Sigaoke.
The magistrate said that the defendant had not provided enough facts to show how the Sechele brothers had accumulated so much profit through the said electrical appliance distribution business that Moseki Sechele owned, “because it appears that the business is dormant”, according to NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Mahanjana said:
“He believes that the State has done its job and has a strong case against all accused, therefore, he ruled that all bail applications brought forward are denied,” Mahanjana said.
Moyo, Ngobeni, Magwaca, Moseki Sechele, Thabo Sechele, and Mashaya are charged with fraud, possession of ammunition, possession of drugs, money laundering, and contravention of the Immigration Act and Precious Metals Act.
The six allegedly illegally processed and sold precious metals, including gold.
The case was postponed to 7 March 2023 for further investigation.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
