Six arrested for possession of gold-bearing soil
Six men appeared in the Graskop Magistrate's Court today after they had recently been found in possession of gold-bearing soil.
The suspects, aged between 19 and 42, were also charged with contravening the Immigration Act.
The provincial police spokesperson, Brig Leonard Hlathi, said their appearance followed their arrest on Sunday during an operation conducted by officers of the Dientjie Police Station.
Hlathi said the police noticed a vehicle offloading suspicious-looking bags around the area, and called for backup.
“On their arrival at the scene, the suspects, four Mozambicans, one South African, and one Zimbabwean, were found with these bags loaded with gold-bearing soil, and were arrested on the spot,” said Hlathi.
“The police further discovered that four of the suspects were in the country without proper documents, hence the additional charge.”
He said the provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Semakaleng Manamela, has welcomed the arrest and commended the “sterling work done by police in ensuring the suspects are apprehended so they can face the full might of the law”.
She further warned the community to refrain from illegal mining, as it poses dangerous to life, above and beyond the fact that it remains illegal.
