Pretoria – Five men accused of running an illegal gold and platinum refinery on a farm outside Hammanskraal made their first court appearance today, with one local farm owner walking free on bail while his four co-accused – all young foreign nationals – chose not to apply for release.
Nicholus Donald Dibakwane (47), the owner of Plot 57 on Skoolweg in Bultfontein, was granted R25,000 bail by the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court this morning. His four co-accused – Adilso Makhukane (25), Raphael Makhatshwa (19), Alec Maswana (28), and Mebido Beto Makamo (20) – all from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, decided to remain in custody.
The group faces serious charges of possessing unwrought precious metals (gold and platinum) without any legal permission. Dibakwane is also accused of harbouring illegal immigrants, while the four visitors are charged with being in South Africa unlawfully.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the drama unfolded on 26 February 2026 when SAPS K9 Unit officers received a tip-off about an illegal refinery operating on the farm. When police arrived, the suspects fled on foot. Officers quickly caught the four foreign nationals, and later that same day Dibakwane handed himself over to authorities.
In court, the State did not oppose Dibakwane’s release but asked for strict conditions to ensure he doesn’t interfere with the investigation. The magistrate agreed, ordering him to:
- Stay away from the farm completely
- Hand over his passport to the investigating officer
- Not sell or transfer any property (movable or immovable)
- Notify police if he plans to leave Gauteng Province
The case has been postponed to 20 May 2026 for further investigation.
The NPA says it will continue working closely with law enforcement to crack down on illegal mining and related crimes, sending a clear message that such operations will not be tolerated.