Update: The matter was postponed to 16 October for further investigation after four of the five accused were granted bail of R20,000 on Friday (16/8) – the two Du Plessises, Sambo, and Viljoen. Tavavinga was remanded in custody. His case was postponed to 26 August for a formal bail application.

Five suspects arrested for platinum material theft at a Rustenburg mine are expected to appear in the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application on Friday (16/8). 

Claudette du Plessis (36), George Sambo (37), Michael du Plessis (40), Alphigio Tavavinga (42), and Hendrick Viljoen (67) are facing charges of illegal dealing in unwrought precious metals, theft of unwrought precious metals and illegal possession of unwrought precious metals.

They first appeared in the Rustenburg court on Thursday, 8 August. They were remanded in custody after being arrested in Rustenburg and Brits by members of North West Hawks in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks on Wednesday, 7 August.

The suspects were arrested in North West and KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Hawks

“Initially, seven suspects were arrested, but upon conducting a preliminary investigation, two were released as they could not be linked to the crime,” said North West Hawks spokesperson Tinyiko Mathebula.

“Their arrests follow information received about the theft of suspected platinum group material at a mine in Rustenburg, estimated at R350 million.”

Meanwhile, the Virginia Magistrate’s Court sentenced two suspects in July to three years imprisonment for theft of over R88,000 and possession of unprocessed precious metals. Teboho Lebele (50), and Mofihli Moqhalamaqhoa (30) were found extracting and possessing gold-bearing material near an old shaft near Merriespruit in Virginia.

How zama zamas sift for gold-bearing material. Photo: The Citizen

Lebele was also found guilty of being in the country illegally and sentenced to three months imprisonment for Contravention of the Immigration Act.

“The court agreed with the state that indeed this is a serious offence and both accused were sentenced, on count one of theft of gold to two years imprisonment and count two of possession of unwrought precious metals to one-year imprisonment,” said Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.

“Virginia has recently experienced a surge of infestation of crimes emanating from the illicit mining, mostly by foreign nationals. The gold-bearing material was forfeited to the state.”

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae. Photo: Facebook/Free State provincial government

At the opening of the provincial legislature on Thursday (8/8), Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae said the provincial government welcomed the deployment of a multi-sectoral team to combat illegal mining by zama zamas.

“We are happy that arrests are being made daily, heavy sentences imposed, and our economy is protected, the provincial government will continue to work with this team to reclaim the economy from criminal activities,” she said.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg/mvh