THEIR LIVES as high-flying alleged zama zama kingpins is about to come to an end.
And nailing them signals a new dawn in the ongoing war with the illegal miners, but this is only the beginning.
THE HAWKS ARE GOING AFTER MUCH BIGGER FISH!
The seven alleged zama zama kingpins, who are believed to be running the illegal mining operations in Gauteng, were nabbed in Khutsong and Carletonville on Tuesday, 4 October.
Their fancy cars, which most South Africans can only dream of owning, have been seized.
These included an Amarok V6, VW Golf 7R, VW T-Roc, VW Polo GTI, Ford Ranger Raptor and a Range Rover Evoque.
Four of the cars were found in a yard in Khutsong. The owner confirmed that he owned some of the fleet but told Daily Sun he didn’t buy his fancy wheels with crime proceeds.
Neighbours said they suspected the arrested man was dealing in minerals but don’t know much as the gates were always locked.
Hawks spokeswoman Colonel Katlego Mogale said: “This is the completion of Operation Gillet. It began in 2018 as an inquiry.”
She said since then, six sting operations were conducted amounting to R500 000.
“Today, it culminated in the arrest of seven suspects who are seen as level-two and -three suspects. From here on, we will be investigating level-four and -five operators.”
She said the arrested suspects are level-twos and -threes who are allegedly buying precious metal-bearing material. They process and sell it to level-four and-five operators.
She said the suspects will appear in the Carletonville Magistrates Court.
Mogale said they were targeting eight suspects, but only arrested seven and the last one is giving them problems.
“We will still continue with the current investigation,” she said.
“Two people of interest were also taken in for questioning. The vehicles are owned by one person, but registered under the names of different people.”
Major General Fred Kekana said he is pleased, “although it’s not the levels we were hoping to take into custody”.
He said investigations are still ongoing. Hopefully, significant breakthroughs will be made soon.
Kekana said they were not ruling out that police members could be involved, but investigations are continuing.
