Three male suspects, Khasilasi Moyana (21), Kgarametsa Leuta (36), and Tema Ntikane (46) have been remanded in custody by the Brakpan Magistrates Court for operating an illegal gold processing refinery and contravention of the precious metals act on Monday, 12 April.
An intelligence-driven operation was successfully conducted in Vlaakfontein, near Dunnottar in Ekurhuleni consisting of a team focusing on precious metal investigation, Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Germiston, Crime Intelligence, and Ekurhuleni K9 resulted in the arrest of the suspects on Friday.
The investigation team kept surveillance at positively identified premises which resulted in the search warrants issued.
Police executed a search warrant and pounced on suspects allegedly operating illicit gold refinery and apprehended them immediately.
Amongst other seized items during the operation, police confiscated about 1 500kg of gold-bearing material worth approximately R500 000, man-made penduka, as well as electronic gadgets for further investigation.
The court remanded the suspects in custody pending investigation. The case is postponed to 20 April 2021 for a formal bail application.