A 22-year-old man was arrested after he was found operating a gold refinery with gold-bearing material worth more than R3 million. The man was arrested at the illegal gold refinery laboratory in Zuurbekom, Westonaria. 

 TEAMWORK

Hawks spokesperson, Philani Nkwalane said the operation was executed by an integrated team led by the Hawks in collaboration with the Tactical Response Team (TRT), the Forensic division of the South African Police Service in West Rand, officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs as well as the Sibanye Stillwater's Asset Protection Services. "Approximately one thousand two hundred and sixty (1260) tons of gold-bearing material with an estimated value of R3 million was found along with two generators, nearly 200 kg of loaded carbon, and a cellphone. The suspect was arrested and all exhibits were seized for further investigation, "said Nkwalane. 

CHARGES

He added that the suspect who is a foreign national, was not in possession of proper documentation and an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 may be preferred against him. "He is expected to appear on 18 May 2023 in the Westonaria Magistrates Court on charges of contravention of Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005 and operating an illegal gold refinery." The Hawks Provincial Head in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa lauded the sterling work of the combined team, he added, "The suspect was clearly not working alone, our work is cut out and no stone will be left unturned".