Five men accused of involvement in illegal mining activities are expected to appear in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on May 20.

This follows their appearance before the same court on March 20, where four of the accused remained in custody after abandoning their bail applications.

Nicholus Donald Dibakwane (47), the owner of a farm in Hammanskraal where the alleged illegal operations took place, was granted bail of R25 000.

His co-accused Adilso Makhukane (25), Raphael Makhatshwa (19), Alec Maswana (28), and Mebido Beto Makamo (20), foreign nationals from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, chose not to proceed with their bail applications.

The group faces charges relating to the possession of unwrought precious metals, including gold and platinum, without the required authorisation.

Dibakwane faces an additional charge of harbouring illegal immigrants, while his co-accused are also charged with contravening immigration laws by being in South Africa unlawfully.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the arrests stem from an operation conducted on February 26, when members of the SAPS K9 Unit acted on intelligence about an alleged illegal refinery operating on a farm in Hammanskraal.

She said upon arrival at the scene, police reportedly encountered several people who fled on foot.

Law enforcement officials managed to apprehend the four foreign nationals during the operation.

Dibakwane, who is believed to be the owner of the property, handed himself over to authorities later that
day.

During court proceedings, the state did not oppose Dibakwane’s release on bail but requested that strict conditions be imposed.

Mahanjana said the court ruled in favour of bail with several restrictions, including that Dibakwane may not return to the farm where the alleged illegal refinery was discovered.

He is also required to surrender his passport to the investigating officer, refrain from disposing of any assets, and notify authorities should he intend to travel outside the Gauteng province.

The four co-accused remain in custody, and the matter has been postponed to May 20 to allow for further investigation.

“The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed to working with law enforcement agencies to combat illegal mining and related offences,” said Mahanjana.

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