The Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court sentenced each of the 18 illegal miners to 120 days imprisonment, on Friday, 09 February 2024, for contravening Section 5(a) of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002). In addition, all Lesotho foreign nationals were each sentenced to R5000-00 or 60 days imprisonment after being found guilty for being in the country illegally. The court further ordered that all Lesotho foreign nationals be deported.
The accused who are 15 Lesotho nationals and three South Africans aged between 19 and 53, were arrested in September 2023, in Stilfontein for illegal mining and contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
In another separate conviction for contravening Section 5(a) of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002), 14 accused who included nine Lesotho nationals and five Mozambicans, were each sentenced to 120 days imprisonment. Furthermore, five Mozambique foreign nationals were individually sentenced to R5000.00 or 60 days imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).
The accused’ sentencing emanated from their arrest in November 2023 at Stilfontein, during an operation led by the National Commissioner, General Masemola
In another illegal mining related activity on Friday afternoon, 9 February 2024, the Klerksdorp based Hawks’ Serious Organised Investigation Unit, Stilfontein Visible Policing, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Illicit Mining Task Team and National Intervention Unit, confiscated large quantities of goods destined for illegal miners underground.
The confiscation came after the team operationalised information regarding a storage facility, which was used to pack and wrap food stuffs in Goud Street, Stilfontein. During the search conducted at the facility, goods that included packets of maize meal, canned beef, cooking oil, ultramel custard, canned fish, snacks, soya mince, washing powder, paraffin, diesel, beers and rolls of plastic sheeting worth R482 000.00, were seized. An enquiry was registered for further investigation.
The goods were found and seized approximately 300 metres from Scott Shaft where previous operations led to the seizure of 29 firearms, gold, food stuffs and other illegal mining paraphernalia.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended all members involved including the Hawks and other stakeholders for their active participation in the fight against illegal mining that resulted in the sentences and the confiscation of goods.
