| Duo appear in court for alleged illegal mining and contravention of immigration act | |
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| Date Published: | 2023/12/22 |
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Media Statement
NORTH WEST - Wellington Nyakazeya, 29, and Martin Mutanhuri (52) appeared before the Mogwase Magistrates' Court on 22 December 2023 following their arrest by the Rustenburg - based Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation in collaboration with Mahikeng Public Order Police, Rustenburg and Vryburg Local Criminal Record Centre after they were found conducting illegal mining at Witrantjie Village portion 3 of the farm on 21 December 2023. Their arrest happened during a disruptive operation following the information received by the police about certain community members who were alleged to have occupied the mining area and conducting mining activities without the authorisation from Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and Thutse Mining Scale. Upon arrival the team found one excavator busy with mining activities in the pit. Its operator was stopped and interviewed while the official from DMRE demanded environmental mining authorization which he failed to produce. The team proceeded to the second pit where they also found another excavator with its operator busy with mining activities. The suspect was also asked to produce the environmental authorisation document, however he failed to do so. The duo was arrested for Contravention of National Environmental Management Act and for being illegal in the country.
They have been remanded in custody and will reappear on 28 December 2023 for legal representation.
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