A group of 15 illegal miners were convicted on charges of trespassing, attempted theft, and contravening the Health and Safety Act at the Westonaria Magistratrates’ Court on 4 December.
This comes after the suspects were caught red handed in a shaft at the Sibanye Gold mine in Westonaria, illegally mining for gold.
They were found in possession of mining property and mercury, which is used to extract gold.
It is understood that the suspects went underground on 28 May and were arrested on 4 June after being caught by mine security and handed over to the police.
The Herald has learned that two of the 17 illegal miners, who were out on bail have fled and has not yet been traced.
Warrants of arrest have since been issued for them.
The remaining 15 suspects pleaded guilty on all counts.
Subsequently, 13 of them were sentenced to two years and six months behind bars while the other two were sentenced to four years behind bars.
In a statement read out in court by a representative for the suspects, the suspects claimed that they were hired by a mine employee who wanted them to dig for gold at the mine and promised to pay them.
He said that they were underground awaiting instructions from the employee when they were discovered by mine security and police officers who arrested them.
According to Magistrate Riaan De Bruyn, illegal mining is rife in the West Rand and he will not tolerate it anymore.
He said that the sentences should serve as a deterent to other illegal miners who are involved in the trade.
