The Stilfontein Magistrates Court in the North West has postponed the case of 21 suspected illegal miners arrested last October for operating at an abandoned mine in Stilfontein.
Their court appearance follows a crime blitz in October 2022 where law enforcement seized fifteen AK47s, six hunting rifles, two shotguns, and one R5, boxes full of ammunition, explosives and an undisclosed amount of money.
The well-executed operation by the North West Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit assisted by members of the Hawks’ Tactical Management Section, Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, District Illegal Mining Task Team, Tactical Response Team, Bidvest Protea Coin and Harmony Gold mine, happened on an early morning raid at a mine shaft in Stilfontein.
One of the accused who was arrested at his home is suspected of transporting food and goods to the illegal miners while on site. His vehicle was also seized.
Two attorneys for the suspects, Tumelo Motjope and Johan Bloom, requested a postponement of the bail application as well as more investigation into the matter.
The magistrate, Lizelle Kok and State prosecutor, Tumi Megalane, postponed the hearing until 15 February. Twenty of the accused remain in police custody while one is out on a R5000 bail.
Initially, all accused were charged with preliminary acts of conspiracy to commit robbery with gold, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition, and violation of the Immigration Act.
Bloom demanded a videotape from the state after one of his clients was previously denied bail after police alleged he was seen on video concealing ammunition.
