R20 000 fine or six years’ imprisonment: Court cracks whip on illegal miners
Two men arrested for illegal chrome mining in the North West have been sentenced to a R20,000 fine or six years’ imprisonment by the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court.
Hawks provincial spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, said Siphelele Mlangeni, 26, and Bennet Mendi, 42, were convicted of illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act after they were caught mining chrome in Witrantje Village near Sun City in August 2024.
“They were arrested by members of the Vala Umgodi Task Team after they were found mining chrome illegally,” Mathebula said.
He added that the pair appeared in court several times before entering into a plea bargain with the State.
The court imposed a six-year sentence, half of which was suspended for five years on condition they are not convicted of illegal mining during that period.
“The court further ordered them to pay R10 000 each on or before 3 December 2025,” Mathebula said.
In a separate case, three more illegal miners were sentenced in connection with a June 2024 chrome-mining operation in Tlhatlhaganyane Village, also near Sun City.
Learnmore Mtapwa, 27, Moses Maharabe, 27, and Caiphus Moyo, 40, were each sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for illegal mining, with half the term suspended for five years, and a further suspended two-year sentence for contravening the Immigration Act.
Mathebula said the trio were also declared unfit to possess a firearm and would be deported after completing their sentences.
“The accused were caught mining chrome without permits and were arrested by the Vala Umgodi Task Team,” he said.
He added that the sentences send a clear message that illegal mining will not be tolerated in the province.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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