NORTH WEST – Alleged illegal mining kingpins aged between 33 and 72 were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by members of the Illegal Mining Task Team, National Intervention Unit and Bidvest Protea Coin Security in Rustenburg on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. During their arrest, two vehicles believed to have been obtained through the proceeds of crime were seized for further investigation.

The suspects will appear before Mogwase Magistrate’s court today where they will be facing a varied charges which include Illegal Mining, Public violence, defeating the ends of justice and Malicious damage to property.

The operation is a culmination of ongoing investigations into illegal mining in the Rustenburg area. It is a follow-up of a takedown operation which took place on 07 April 2022 conducted by multi-disciplinary team led by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted my members of the Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, Air Wing, South African Air Force, Bidvest Protea Coin, Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI), Klerksdorp Illegal Mining Task Team and Forensic Science Laboratory. That operation which took place at a Rustenburg mine led to the seizure of illegally mined Chrome worth over R2 million and equipment (vehicles and excavators) worth approximately R100 million.

Samuel Saki Makhoti (68) and Andries Sekgobela (44) were resultantly arrested for illegal mining and appeared before the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 11 April 2022 where they were each released on R3000 bail, they are due to appear before Mogwase Magistrate’s court on 24 November 2022.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Head for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho lauded the team for their excellent work in apprehending the Kingpins behind illegal mining in Rustenburg.

Source: South African Police Service