Mining equipment
Five suspected illegal miners appeared before Malamule Magistrate on Wednesday facing illegal mining charges.
The case against, Elvis Muvhirwa (49), Innocent Tivana (30), John Masingi, (50), Eunice Chauke (40) and Maria Shivhambu (62) was remanded to 24 January 2023 for bail application.
According to the Hawks spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleke, the five suspected illegal miners were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team at Muchipisi Offspring Old Shaft Mine in Malamulele on Monday.
“The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in collaboration with Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, Provincial Organised Crime, Local Criminal Record Centre and Department of Home Affairs conducted a multidisciplinary disruptive operation that resulted in the successful arrest of the five suspects,” said Captain Maluleke.
During the operation, members managed to seize illegal mining equipment including generators, compressors, wheelbarrows, gold weighing scale, spade, shovels, gas cylinder and bags containing gold bearing material estimated to the value of R65 420.
He added that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is determined to fight the scourge of illegal mining in the province by conducting continuous disruptive operations in affected areas.