The Hawks in the Free State has secured a preservation order against members of an organised syndicate involved in illicit mining activities.
The elite crime-fighting wing has managed to secure an order in the Free State High Court to preserve assets worth R2 million. WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, the asset forfeiture emanates from an intensive investigation that led to arrests that were effected during a project driven investigation carried out by the Free State Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in collaboration with Free State Crime Intelligence (CI).
She said the project began in July 2018, aiming at disrupting and dismantling the identified illicit mining in Welkom.
“Targets were identified as members of a syndicate involved in illicit mining activities, money laundering, and corruption,” she said. Assets range from luxury vehicles and cash.
The items including 23 vehicles to the estimated value of more than R5 million, two firearms, two gas bottles, one cutting torch set with pipes, documents, and an undisclosed amount of money. Vehicles include a Ford Ranger, Mercedes Benz, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Conquest, and a Toyota Corolla.
According to Matoti, all the preserve assets, reportedly found in possession of the targeted members of the syndicate, are deemed as profits of unlawful dealing in gold.
“These were seized during the arrest of seven suspects on 15 November 2021,” said Matoti.
Earlier on, the Hawks also succeeded to preserved assets against one of the accused, Max Nelson Mlambo (38).
Assets include two houses in Welkom, and the other in Odendaalrsrus, in addition to the four vehicles, namely, a Toyota SUV, a Ford Fiesta, a Chevrolet Sonic, and a Hyundai ix35. In addition, an of amount of R545 300, confiscated was also preserved.
