Gauteng Hawks arrest suspects for illegal gold processing

Johannesburg – Nine suspects are expected to make their first appearance in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 19 March 2020 on allegations for running an illicit manufacturing gold refinery.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation together with Public Order Policing followed up on intelligence information regarding illegal gold manufacturing activities in Withoek plots near Brakpan. The team has been keeping surveillance of the activities in the property and decided to obtain a search and seizure warrant yesterday.

Nine male suspects were arrested while busy processing gold illegally. More than a hundred tonnes of gold-bearing material, five large man-made pendukas, a truck and sedan worth an estimated R2 million were seized. The suspects between the age of 20 and 40 were charged for contravention of precious metals Act 37 of 2005. Investigations are still continuing.