Prince Dube (30), Carlton Mphofu (28) and Themba Beki (33) appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 12 June 2023 on charges of contravening the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005. Their case was postponed for bail information and they are expected to appear in court again today.
The trio was arrested on Thursday, 08 June 2023 by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigating team based in Vaal Rand in conjunction with Crime Intelligence from the national office, Forensic Service Laboratories from Pretoria, Sedibeng Tactical Response Team, Sibanye Still Water Gold Mine and De deur Community Police Forum.
They were allegedly caught in the act while processing gold-bearing material from a plot at Douglas Road, Tedderfield, Eikenhof De deur during a search and seizure operation. Two pendukas were found together with other plant processing materials and gold-bearing material worth R1,100,000.
Further investigation revealed that the trio were undocumented Zimbabweans and they were additionally charged with contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
