Snl24 | Zama zamas’ 350 mitha dream shattered!

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Court orders crackdown on illegal mining gang. (Photo used for illustrative purposes). Photo by Gallo Images

THE High Court in Mahikeng, North West has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) a preservation order against illegal miners.  

This follows an illegal mining investigation related to stolen Platinum Group Materials (PGMs) valued at R350 million and a white Mercedes-Benz Vito. 

Investigation into illegal mining commenced in November 2023 when the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) in Rustenburg received information from Impala Platinum Mine about stolen PGMs. 

According to NPA spokesman Sivenathi Gunya, the DPCI carried out various investigations that led to the arrest of suspects and the seizure of the PGMs and the Mercedes-Benz Vito.  

The suspects were arrested and released on bail, and their criminal case has been postponed to 25 January 2025. 

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“The PGM weighed approximately 6 500 metric tons with an estimated value of R350 million. A Mercedes-Benz Vito was one of the proceeds of unlawful activities and or instrumentalities of an offence of illegal mining referred to in Schedule 1 to the POCA,” he said. 

Gunya said that the NPA presented to the court that illegal mining poses a serious risk to the sustainability of the mining industry.  

He also said it presents a significant threat to national security, infrastructure, and economic security. 

“This order will send out a strong message to criminals of organised crime involved in illegal mining and further that the NPA is committed to fighting illegal mining in North West,” he said. 

The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West has welcomed the order granted by the court and congratulated the relevant partners for a job well done in ensuring that crime doesn’t pay.

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