TZANEEN – Four illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe and Mozambique appeared in the Ritavi Magistrate’s Court in Nkowankowa on Monday, February 10, on charges of operating an illegal gold processing laboratory and contravening the Immigration Act.

Zimbabweans Jonh Vondo (39), Hardlife Manjoko (35), and Biggie Chimwero (36) and Mozambiquan Samuel Almeida Mashaba (46) will remain in custody until their next appearance on February 18 for a formal bail application.

This comes after they were arrested on Saturday, February 8 after the discovery of an illegal gold processing laboratory along the R71 near Tarentaalrand.

The arrests followed a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation carried out by the Mopani District Vala Umgodi task team, with support from the Tactical Joint Operational Center (TACJOC) detectives and Airwing drone pilots.

Two of the men are suspected to be the kingpins behind illegal mining activities in the district.

During the operation, police seized various items believed to have been used in the illegal processing of minerals, including containers with carbon ashes presumed to be precious minerals, gas bottles, sulfuric acids and oxygen cylinders.

Furthermore, two cars, a red Haval and a white Mercedes-Benz, both with Gauteng registration plates, believed to belong to the two suspected kingpins, were seized.