FOURTEEN(14) ZAMA-ZAMAS WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED ON 8 COUNTS

FOURTEEN(14) ZAMA-ZAMAS WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED ON 8 COUNTS

LIMPOPO – Fourteen (14) Zama-zamas were convicted and sentenced on eight (8) counts of charges related to illegal mining and contravention of Immigration Act at Lenyenye Regional on 14 December 2023.

During October 2022, Phalaborwa based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) received an intelligence about people who were mining illegally at Burgersdorp outside Maake.

A sting operation between Phalaborwa based Hawks, Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, and Maake SAPS was conducted.

During the operation the team arrested eighteen (18) accused seized four (4)vehicles, various mining equipment and gold that were found in possession of the accused.

The accused were charged as follows:

Count 1: Acquisition, Possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities.

Count 2: Possession of unwrought precious metals.

Count 3: Mining of minerals without rights or permissions,

Count 4: Committing an act which is likely to detrimentally affects the environment,

Count 5: Commencement with listed activity without authorisation,

Count 6 : Failure to use Port of entry,

Count 7: Entering the Republic without a valid passport.

*Count 8: Trespassing.

Phalaborwa based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation was entrusted with the investigation of the matter.

The accused made bail applications several times and they were denied until their final court appearance.

The case was well handled until the following
accused were convicted and sentenced:

Accused 2: Tinotenda Gore (18)

Accused 3: Godwin Hobe (19)

Accused 5: Derrick Mondontsa (30)

Accused 6: Brian Matya (39)

Accused 7: Gift Matya (42)

Accused 8: Khumbulani Sibanda (19)

Accused 9: Emmanuel Sibanda (30)

Accused 10: Enton Moyo (19)

Accused 11: Moeketsi Ncholu (23)

Accused 12: Cain Ncube (19)

Accused 13: William Ncube (22)

Accused 15: Sonboy Shumba (29)

Accused 18: Prince Hobe (33)

The accused were sentenced as follows:

Accused number 2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,15 and 18.

Count 1: Sentenced to four (4)years imprisonment or pay a fine of R4000, 00 half of which is suspended for a period of five (5) years on condition that the accused is not convicted of similar offence.

Count 2: Sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment or pay a fine of R2000

Count 3: sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment or pay fine of R2000.

Count 4: sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment or pay fine of R2000.

Count 5: sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment or pay fine of R2000.

Count 6: Sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment or pay fine of R2000

Count 7: Sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment or pay fine of R2000

Count 8: Sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment or pay fine of R2000.

The sentence of imprisonment on count 2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 shall run concurrently with the sentence of imprisonment of count 1.

Accused 4: Sphemandla Zwide (20) was found guilty on all counts and sentenced as follows:
Count 1,2,3, sentenced to two (2) years imprisonment

Count 4: Sentenced to Six(6) years direct imprisonment without an option of a fine.

Count 5,6,7, sentenced to eight (8) months imprisonment.

Count 4 and 5 will run concurrently with the sentence on count 1.

Count 6 and 7 will run concurrently with count 2.

Count 8 will run concurrently with count 3.

Furthermore the court has separated trial for the accused number 16, Ngiti Mhlaba and the accused number 17, Lawrence Mlambo. They are set to appear before the Nkowankowa Regional Court on 29 January 2024.

Accused number 1 and 14 have absconded and warrants of arrest have been issued against them.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender has applauded the members for meticulous investigation and welcomed the sentencing.