SUSPECTED ILLEGAL MINERS APPEARED IN COURT

The Stilfontein Regional Court postponed the case against eighty-seven(87) suspects who are facing charges related to illegal mining at shaft 2 in Orkney to 06 April 2022, for further investigations. The defence attorney has requested a postponement to negotiate with the state, on undisclosed aspects of the case.

Police reports indicate that eight of the accused were wounded and six fatally wounded during a shootout with members of the Special Task Force, assisted by Hawks Organised Crime in the North West, during an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday 20 October 2021. The eight injured have since been discharged from the hospital and are now in police custody.

National Prosecuting Authority Henry Mamothame says they are now charged with six counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, conspiracy to commit robbery, illegal mining, possession of automatic firearms, attempted murder and contravening the immigration act.

The suspects will remain in police custody until the matter is finalised.