Tebogo Msimanga |
Three suspects aged between 19 and 58 were arrested on Thursday for operating an illegal gold refinery. The suspects were charged with contravention of the Precious Metals Act.
On 23 February 2023, the Middelburg Hawks team arrived at the identified address where four males were found at the plot busy operating.
Mpumalanga Hawks Spokesperson Dineo Sekgotodi said the team managed to apprehend two foreign nationals and the other two ran away. “Six pendukas, two small crashers, fresh soil that was just delivered and the truck that delivered the soil was still at the scene were confiscated for further investigation”.
Sekgotodi added that while the team was busy processing the crime scene, the owner of the refinery arrived. “Upon interviewing him, he was linked to the crime and he was also arrested. All relevant stakeholders were summoned to determine the value of the properties and the collection of samples for processing.
The suspects will appear in the Delmas Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 27 February 2023.
