Hawks arrest gold dealer
PROCESSING MINI LAB ALSO BUST
THE Hawks have issued a stern warning against groups of illegal miners behind rampant illegal mining activities in Gauteng.
This after a 31-year old suspect was arrested in Lenasia, south of Joburg, in possession of unprocessed gold and platinum worth R5-million. The suspect is set to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court today (Friday) for illegal manufacturing of precious metal.
Hawks head, Lieutenant-general Mthandazo Ntlemeza, said: “Illegal mining is a serious concern and we are warning those engaging in those activities that we are coming after them; it is just a matter of time before we pounce on them.”
The Hawks and South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) and Crime Intelligence, on Wednesday evening conducted a disruptive operation in the area where a clandestine gold and platinum manufacturing lab was also disbanded.
The Hawks acted on a tip-off and discovered a clandestine lab with gold and platinum being processed at a house in Lenasia.
Unprocessed gold, gold concentrate, gold nuggets, unprocessed platinum, and refined platinum, as well as manufacturing equipment at an estimated value of R5-million, were seized.
Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Capt Ndivuwho Mulamu said investigations were underway.
“We are yet to establish where the metals were mined.
“However, we believe that there is an organised syndicate involved,” Mulamu said.