Three men accused of illegal possession of precious metals, money laundering, and illegal immigration have been sentenced to a combined fine of R600 000, or nineteen years’ imprisonment.
The sentencing stems from November 2023, when the Hawks received information about gold that was illegally purchased from the accused in Welkom and taken to Gauteng.
The integrated team led by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Welkom, in collaboration with Head Office’s Precious Metals and Diamonds (PMD), Public Order Police (POP), and the local Protea Coin Security, approached the location and arrested Progress Bayeni Mlambo (44), Leonard Robert Moyo (47), and Leonard Kocanai Sithole (28).
Several items were seized during the arrest, including cash amounting to more than R4 million, four vehicles, and sixteen unwrought gold nuggets recovered from one of the vehicles.
The Hawks, together with the National Prosecuting Authority, secured a forfeiture order against the recovered gold and cash.
“The court sentenced Progress Bayeni Mlambo to a fine of R250 000 or nine years for contravention of the Precious Metals Act. He was also ordered to pay another R250 000 or undergo nine years’ imprisonment for money laundering,” says WO Filiswa Matoti of the Hawks.
Leonard Robert Moyo was ordered to pay a fine of R100,000 for contravention of the Precious Metals Act.
The court sentenced Leonard Kocanai Sithole to twelve months’ imprisonment, completely suspended for five years, on condition that the accused is not convicted of contravening the Immigration Act during the period of suspension. The court also ruled that the accused be deported to his country with immediate effect.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Free State, Maj. Gen. Mokgadi Bokaba, commended the collective effort made by all involved forces towards achieving this appropriate sentence.
In another case, the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court has placed the case against two men who were arrested for allegedly selling ammunition in Virginia back on the court roll.
Petrus Makalani (41) and Tebello Patrick Pitso (33) were served with summons to appear on 18 August for illegal possession of ammunition.
In September 2019, the Welkom-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation detectives received an alert about two men who were selling pistol and rifle ammunition. A police operation was conducted which resulted in the arrest of Makalani and Pitso.
The case was, however, withdrawn due to an outstanding forensic report. The court has now reopened the matter and ordered the suspects’ re-arrest, says Lt. Col. Zweli Mohobeleli of the Hawks
