A team consisting of members of Brits Crime Intelligence and the Trio Task Team descended on unsuspecting illegal miners in an abandoned building at Letlhakaneng, Letlhabile, on Wednesday, 29 November 2023, at about 10:00. Two suspects were found, allegedly busy washing soil containing gold bearing material and were immediately arrested. The team proceeded to their home, which were close by and pieces of gold were found in their rooms.
The duo, Amarashe Mahlanga (35) and Alista Mahlanga (23) were immediately arrested and appeared before the Brits Magistrates’ court on Friday, 1 December 2023 on charges of unlawful possession of gold bearing material and processing machinery. They were remanded in custody until today, for their bail application before the same court.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, hailed the collaborative nature of the operation and thanked all role players involved. He further issued a stern warning to illegal miners about their criminal activities and added that mining is the highest contributor to the economy, making it a priority and absolutely worth protecting.
