Barberton Illegal gold-bearing processing plant dismantled

Mpumalanga Hawks, along with Nelspruit and Middleburg serious and organised crime units, assisted by the National Intervention Unit, the Bomb Disposal Squad, Tactical Response Team, the Local Criminal Record Centre Barberton Police and SSG Security Services arrived at the Brown Farm on Wednesday and found a group of illegal miners who had been employed to illegally process gold on the property.

Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Capt, Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, said in a statement yesterday that upon arrival at the farm, the team heard the sound of hammers from the nearby bushes.

“The team disrupted the group and 10 suspects, five illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe and five local men from Mpumalanga, were arrested. Among the suspects, two are minors aged 15 and 16 and others are between the ages 18 and 37,” said Sekgotodi.

“During the interview, the suspects confirmed that they are employed by different bosses, one boss responsible for foreigners and the other one for the locals.

“The foreigners explained that their boss originated from Zimbabwe but is residing in Johannesburg and he only comes occasionally to check on them,” she said.

“The other local group confirmed that they are employed by the local boss. The team followed up on the suspects’ information which led to the arrest of the mastermind who was at the nearby house on the same premises next to the laboratory.”

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Sekgotodi said the team entered the house where the suspect was found on crutches. When questioned about his condition he explained to the team that he was injured in the mine while doing illegal mining.

She said the team introduced themselves and the purpose of the operation and requested to search the house.

Crushed gold-bearing materials were found and confiscated and the suspect was arrested for possession of the gold-bearing materials.

The man was also charged for contravening section 43 of Basic Conditions of Employment Act of 2017.

His motor vehicle, a silver double Ford Ranger, which is suspected to be used in the commission of crime, was also confiscated for further investigation.

Sekgotodi said that during the search of other house, an unlicensed .22 hunting rifle, telescope and live ammunition were found and confiscated.

A 20-year-old man was arrested for illegal possession of the firearm and ammunition.

She said pendukas, hammers, generators, cellphones, gold bearing material, chemicals and gas cylinders containing mercury were also found on site and confiscated.

She said the men are in police custody and are expected to appear at the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, December 28.

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