Illegal mining kingpins nabbed by Hawks
BURGERSFORT
Two alleged illegal mining kingpins, Gary Mitchell (63) and Justin Mark Mitchell (31) appeared before the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 16. The duo were granted bail of R5000 each.
The matter was postponed to Burgersfort Regional Court between January 27-28, 2025. The alleged zama zamas were arrested in Burgersfort on September 13 for alleged possession of suspected stolen property (chrome) valued at over R20 million.
According to the Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, the recent arrests follows another one effected on December 12, 2023 in which the Hawks went to Triton Mineral Africa storage in Steelpoort, where they found a geologist, Jan Aucamp (64), in possession of piles of chrome valued at R20 million inside the yard.
“Hawks requested him to produce a permit to possess such amount of chrome, and he failed. Aucamp was immediately put under arrest for possession of suspected stolen property (chrome),” said Mmuroa.
The Hawks’ further investigation revealed that Aucamp was not the only accused who is responsible for the recovered chrome.
“The other two men, Gary and Justin Mitchell allegedly held top positions at Triton Mineral Africa were also linked. After the investigation, the case docket was referred to the Director of Public Prosecution for decision. As a result, the warrants to arrest the suspects were issued, ” added Mmuroa.
He said preliminary investigations established that the recovered chrome was mined illegally from various mines in the Sekhukhune District Municipality.
According to the Hawks, Aucamp who is also out on a R5000 bail, will join the two accused in court on January 2025.
Limpopo Head of Hawks, General Gopz Govender hailed the members for combating illegal mining in the province.
“Illegal mining is one of the most serious crimes committed usually by organised criminals. When coming to such crimes, as the Hawks we equal to the task,” said Govender.
The Hawks operations aimed to dismantle all scourge of illegal mining activities are still ongoing within Limpopo.