| 2024/03/18 |
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Media Statement
POTCHEFSTROOM – “Vala Umgodi” operations led to the arrest of 12 suspects during three separate incidents for being in possession of gold bearing material and for contravening the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002). In the first incident reported in the early hours of Wednesday, 13 March 2024, police on patrol stopped a suspicious Toyota Quantum vehicle on the N12 road at a garage in Meiringspark, Klerksdorp. Upon searching the vehicle, 61 bags containing gold bearing material were found as well as nine persons of which eight are believed to be undocumented persons. As a result, eight suspects between the ages of 20 and 42 appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 15 March 2024, for possession of gold bearing material and for contravening the Immigration Act. They were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Thursday, 16 May 2024. One of the suspects, who is only 14-years-old, was dealt with in terms of the Child Justice Act. In the second incident, reported on Wednesday, 13 March 2024, at about 18:00 police on patrol on the Klerksdorp / Orkney Road, near Shiba mine, observed a man putting soil in a bag. Upon seeing the police, he ran away, but police caught up with him. Jon Mateu Mhlanga (33) was arrested and appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on charges for possession of gold bearing material and for contravening the Immigration Act, 2002. He will remain in custody until Friday, 17 May 2024, for his second court appearance. In the third incident reported on Wednesday, 13 March at about 18:30, police were at the Ariston mine dump in Klerksdorp and found two suspects with 35kg of bags, containing gold bearing material. They were immediately arrested. It was also found that they were in the country illegally. Remaketse Ntoa (36) and Maatekane Tsobo (24) appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court today on charges of possession of gold bearing material and for contravening the Immigration Act, 2002. The pair were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Monday, 25 March 2024.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the team for their commitment and cooperation that resulted in the arrests and seizures, which he said will serve as a warning that the police will continue to work hard in dealing with illicit miners.
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