Zama zama found guilty and sentenced in Pilgrim’s Rest
The accused has been in custody since his arrest in Pilgrim's Rest in 2021.
A foreign national, Thabang Ntsibane (37), was found guilty and sentenced by the Pilgrim’s Rest Magistrate’s Court on July 11 for possession of gold-bearing material. He was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment or a fine of R2 000.
The conviction followed his arrest on August 9, 2021 during a disruptive operation conducted by the Mbombela-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, Mpumalanga Tactical Response Team and the National Intervention Unit at Pilgrim’s Rest mines.
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The accused was arrested while processing the gold-bearing materials with other people who managed to escape. He has been in custody since his arrest until his sentencing.
The provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena, applauded the investigation team with the judiciary for setting an example to everyone that illegal mining is a crime and a person can be detained and sentenced.
