Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Hawks in North West have arrested five people believed to be illegal mining kingpins in Rustenburg.
Two vehicles believed to have been obtained through the proceeds of the crime were also seized during the arrests, which happened on Wednesday and Thursday morning.
The five suspects were expected to appear in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
They have been charged with illegal mining, public violence, defeating the ends of justice and malicious damage to property.
According to Hawks spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso, the operation was a culmination of investigations into illegal mining in Rustenburg.
It was a follow-up of a takedown operation on 7 April at a Rustenburg mine where illegally mined chrome worth more than R2 million and equipment (vehicles and excavators) worth approximately R100 million were seized, Rikhotso said.
Rikhotso said Samuel Saki Makhoti, 68, and Andries Sekgobela, 44, were arrested on charges of illegal mining and appeared in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 11 April, when they were both released on R3 000 bail.
The two will appear in court again on 24 November 2022.
North West Hawks head Major General Patrick Mbotho lauded the investigating team for “their excellent work in apprehending the kingpins behind illegal mining in Rustenburg”.
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