The New Age reports that five men who were arrested for running a catering business for illegal miners, underground, have been remanded in custody.
They appeared in the Welkom Magistrate's Court on Monday for the alleged financial benefit from and aiding of criminal activities. Their case was postponed to next week Wednesday for a formal bail application. Hawks spokesperson Capt Philani Nkwalase said they made the arrests on Friday after an investigation to disrupt and neutralise the organised food supplies for illegal miners working underground in the Welkom area. He indicated that the accused were arrested during the three-day take-down operation which started in Ficksburg before proceeding to Welkom. Among the suspects a mine security guard was also arrested for his involvement in these criminal activities. Last month, the Free State High Court sentenced 22 zama zamas (illegal miners) to various sentences ranging from 20 to 25 years imprisonment.
- Read this report by Becker Semela in full at HT Syndication
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