Staff Reporter
AS South Africa?intensifies its?clamp down on illegal mining, a 37-year-old Mosotho man, Xolile Mazibuko,?has been?slapped with a 15-year jail sentence by the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court?for illegal?possession of?mining?explosives.
Mazibuko was further sentenced to 18 months for being in South Africa illegally. However, his sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve?an effective?15 years.
This according to a statement released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Friday.
“Xolile Mazibuko (37) who is a Lesotho national, was convicted and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of explosives as well as one year and six months for contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 when he appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 15 August 2024,”?part of the statement read.
“In November 2022, the Klerksdorp based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit received information about a Lesotho national at Kanana township near Orkney, who was planning to sell mining equipment suspected to be explosives. The information was operationalised, and the suspect was subsequently apprehended.
“The accused was denied bail, and following a series of court appearances, the accused was sentenced as?follows: Count 1 – 15 years imprisonment for possession of explosives, Count 2: Illegal Immigration Act, one year,?six months imprisonment.
“The North West Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Rachel Makhari, lauded the investigation and prosecution team for ensuring that the accused faced?the full might of the law.”
Basotho constitute a?significant?fraction of the foreign nationals from South Africa’s neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Zimbabwe who are conducting illegal mining activities in abandoned South African?mine shafts
The South African government has declared war on these illegal miners. Joint operations between the SAPS and the South African army, as well as other security agencies, have been established, resulting in Basotho and others being arrested in?high numbers.
Through its operation Vala Umgodi, 13 more illegal miners aged between 18 and 63 were also arrested on Thursday near Lekgalametse Game Reserve in Masoma village, Polokwane, South Africa.
“A group of suspects was spotted busy with their illegal mining activities at the illegal mining site. Seemingly the suspects noticed the law enforcement officers and started to run in different directions. The operational members managed to corner them, and the suspects failed to produce an authentic permit to operate at the mine. They were immediately apprehended.
“During the arrest, the following items, including cellphones of the suspects, were seized: four picks, three spades, three shovels, a hammer, a DHN generator, a water pipe, a head lamp and a scale,” said the SAPS in another statement.
However, the identities of the 13 have not been revealed as they are yet to appear in court on an unspecified date as police investigations?are?ongoing.?