FIFTEEN suspects are set to appear in the Sabie Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga on Monday, 18 December.
This after they were arrested for illegal possession of gold-bearing soil.
According to police spokesman Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the suspects were bust on Thursday, 14 December.
“Operation Shanela has continued to yield positive outcomes in the province of Mpumalanga and has resulted in the arrest of 15 suspects on allegations of contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa as well as one South African citizen locked up for illegal possession of gold bearing soil. These suspects were nabbed in Sabie on Thursday, 14 December 2023.
“During the operation, some of the confiscated items suspected to be used for illegal mining activities were found and these include two bags of 50kg with gold bearing soil inside, two motors, two phendukas, one soil detector, 10 shizel, 25 dagga plants, one medium solar panel, two torches, one and a half welding electrode. A toy gun, as well as a holster were also among the items seized," said Mohlala.
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He said that the suspects are not South African citizens, and they're working with Home Affairs on the matter.
“Among the 15 that were not in possession of valid documentation to be in the country, four originate from Malawi, five are from Mozambique and six come from Zimbabwe.
"In addition, the astute members managed to also arrest a 28-year-old male suspect for illegal possession of gold bearing soil during the operation,” Mohlala added.
