Hawks shut down illegal gold refinery in Limpopo
Seven suspects, including a minor, were caught processing gold in a field and were arrested.
LIMPOPO – Four women and three men appeared in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court today (August 17) following their arrest for operating an illegal gold processing refinery outside Polokwane.
Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) Limpopo spokesperson Capt Matimba Maluleke says an urgent disruptive operation was conducted with the assistance of the Giyani Crime Prevention and Mopani District Crime Prevention units, which led to the arrest of the seven, which includes a minor.
“The seven were arrested at Mapuve village outside Polokwane. They were caught processing gold in a field,” his statement read.
Maluleke said the team seized 18 bags of suspected gold bearing material, three pendukas (electronic gold concentrate mixing machine), round steel balls, a wheelbarrow and a drum.
“More operations to address illegal mining in the province are still to be conducted,” he added.
Two men and four women were remanded in custody until August 23 for formal bail application while the minor was released into the care of his parent(s).
