Six men were arrested during a multidisciplinary intelligence-driven operation to disrupt illegal mining activities on Friday July 22.

The operation was conducted by the Mbombela Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit with the National Intervention Unit, the Tactical Response Team and the Mbombela Department of Home Affairs in Matsulu C.

The suspects were apprehended for the illegal possession of gold-bearing materials and illegal dealing in gold on two separate premises in the area.

Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said in a statement that the joint operation was aimed at disrupting illegal mining activities around Mpumalanga.

“Two laboratories that were processing gold-bearing materials were dismantled,” said Sekgotodi.

She said mining equipment and a vehicle were seized for further investigation.

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Godfrey Sithole (45), Godfrey Mongezi (32), Simone Macha (25), Bagayi Shongwe (77), Musa Matimela (58) and Nkosinathi Vilakazi (25) appeared in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court on Friday July 22.

They were all remanded in custody and the case was postponed to today, Monday July 25.

Vilakazi and Mongezi were remanded in custody again for a formal bail application that is expected to be heard at the court on August 4.
The other four all received bail of R1 000 each.