Ten Zimbabwean men have been jailed for two years by a South African court after they were arrested for illegal mining activities in the Giyani area in Limpopo province.
They were arrested by the Hawks, in May last year following a tip-off, and were found with an assortment of mining equipment worth R900 000 and cash amounting to R3 800.
Mpathise Tshuma (29), Decent Ngwenya (22), Lamulani Sibanda (31), Skhumbuzo Mkandla (21), Ocean Mpofu (28), Prince Ndlovu (27), Brandon Nyoni (22), Clive Moyo (29), Tawanda Ndebele (33) and Philani Ndlovu (33), were arrested along the R81 near Giyani Shopping Centre.
The Hawks intercepted the vehicle near the Giyani shopping complex and upon searching the vehicle, the police found unwrought gold, pastel, scale, and mine detectors worth over R900 000 as well as R3800 cash.
Hawks spokesperson for Limpopo, Captain Matimba Maluleke, said the gang had also been slapped with another six months’ jail term for violating South Africa’s immigration laws.
