Seven nabbed in illegal gold refining bust
Seven suspects are expected to appear at the Giyani Magistrate’s Court today.
According to Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke, the seven would appear after they were arrested on Sunday 15 August for operating an illegal gold processing refinery in Mapuve village outside Giyani.
Maluleke said the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation received a tip about people who were operating an illegal gold processing refinery and conducted an urgent disruptive operation with the assistance of Giyani Crime Prevention and Mopani District Crime Prevention members.
Also read: UPDATE: Illegal Giyani miners remanded in police custody
“When the team pounced on the suspects, they were caught busy processing gold in the field.”
He said the team managed to seize eighteen bags of suspected gold-bearing material, three pendukas, steel round balls, a wheelbarrow, and a drum.
“More operations to address illegal mining in the province are still going to be conducted,” said Maluleke.
