Four suspects, three Zimbabwean and one Mozambican, were arrested following the discovery of an illegal gold processing laboratory along the R71 near Tarentaalrand in the Letsitele policing area under Mopani District in Limpopo.
With the amount of illegal gold mining in South Africa, minerals are sold illicitly before they are processed in various ways through laboratories run by alleged criminals connected in an intricate network to illegal mining kingpins.
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects who were identified as: Jonh Vondo, 39, Hardlife Manjoko, 35, Biggie Chimwero, 36, from Zimbabwe and Samuel Almeida Mashaba, 46, Mozambican appeared at Ritavi Magistrate's Court on Monday, February 10.
"They are facing charges of illegal processing of gold-bearing materials. They were remanded in custody until February 18 for formal bail... Mashaba also faces charges of contravening the Immigration Act," said Ledwaba.
Ledwaba further stated that the arrests were made as a result of a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation by the Mopani District Vala Umgodi Task Team, which was assisted by Tactical Joint Operational Centre (TACJOC) Detectives and Airwing Drone Pilots.
Additionally, two of these suspects are alleged to be the primary kingpins driving the illicit mining activities in the area.
"During the operation, police seized various items believed to have been used in the illegal processing of minerals, including containers with carbon ashes (presumed to be precious minerals), gas bottles, sulfuric acids and oxygen cylinders," Ledwaba added.
Furthermore, two cars: a red Haval and a white Mercedes-Benz with Gauteng registration plates, thought to be owned by the two alleged kingpins, were confiscated by law enforcement.
IOL