Hawks Arrest Nine Suspects and Seize R23 Million Worth of Precious Metals in Greenstone
Nine suspects aged between 20 and 56 are scheduled to appear before the Edenvale Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (today) following their arrest for the illegal possession and dealing of precious metals.
On Friday, 4 September 2026, members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) received intelligence regarding a foreign national allegedly trading in unwrought gold dust and nuggets sourced from illegal miners.
According to police reports following intense surveillance, the team operationalised a search warrant at a targeted premises in Greenstone on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.
Upon entering the property, officers detained two females and seven males.
A thorough search of the premises uncovered approximately 20 kilograms of palladium, 11 kilograms of osmium, and specialised machinery used to process unwrought gold.
The total estimated value of the seized minerals and equipment stands at R23 million. All nine suspects were immediately arrested after failing to produce valid permits, licences, or company registration documents authorising them to trade or handle precious metals in Greenstone.
The Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Gauteng, Brigadier Wendy Mashwabane, highly commended the operational team for their swift and decisive action.
“This breakthrough is a significant blow to illegal mining value chains in the province. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activities within their communities to law enforcement authorities,” Brigadier Mashwabane said.
The suspects face charges of contravening the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005.
Investigations continue.
