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News24 reports that it has been revealed in court that the 87 suspected illegal miners who were arrested in Orkney, in the North West, in October last year following a shootout with law enforcement officers were foreign nationals who were in SA illegally.
On 20 October, the police's Special Task Force, along with the Hawks and other law enforcement units, followed up on information about illegal mining taking place at an abandoned shaft. When the police descended on the shaft, they were met with gunfire. "The team returned fire wherein eight suspects were wounded and six fatally, while 87 were arrested. One member of the team was wounded," a Hawks spokesperson reported at the time. The accused have been charged with attempted murder, illegal possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of gold, theft and conspiracy to commit an offence. In a statement on Sunday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) noted that during a previous court appearance it had been placed on record that none of the accused had legal documents to be in SA. "Their attorney also indicated that they will not be applying for bail based on their illegal status in the country," a NPA spokesperson indicated. The case has been postponed to Wednesday as the State has applied to have it transferred to a regional court for trial.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Mitchley at News24
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