THE state is opposing the bail application of two of 21 suspected illegal miners arrested last month.
The accused, who were bust at the abandoned Scott mine shaft, appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrates Court in the North West on Monday, 28 November.
The state opposed the application on the grounds that accused number 21 had previously been convicted of rape and attempted murder.
Accused number 12 has previously been charged with assault, common robbery, escape from custody, contempt of court, murder and convicted of culpable homicide and possession of drugs.
The magistrate will decide on 8 December whether the two will be granted bail.
Five of the suspects were confirmed to be South African citizens, while 16 are in the country illegally.
They were arrested on 10 October by the North West Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, assisted by other units, Bidvest Protea Coin and Harmony Gold Mine.
The Hawks said the operation followed weeks of surveillance into alleged illegal gold mining activities happening at the shaft.
During the operation 15 AK47s, six hunting rifles, two shotguns, one R5, ammunition, explosives, and an undisclosed amount of cash were seized.
Accused number 21 is suspected of transporting food to the illegal miners while they were on site.
His vehicle was also seized.
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The state is not ruling out the possibility that more charges will be added to the docket.
The accused have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of unlicensed ammunition and contravention of the Immigration Act. All the accused remain in police custody.
until their next court appearance.
