SASOLBURG – Three convicted gold smugglers – Progress Bayeni Mlambo (44), Leonard Robert Moyo (47) and Leonard Kocanai Sithole (28) – have been dealt another hefty blow following their sentences by the High Court in Sasolburg on Thursday, 24 July. They were found guilty on charges of acquisition, possession and disposal of precious metals, money laundering, and illegal immigration.
Sentences include imprisonment and financial penalties ranging from R100 000 to R250 000. Financial penalties were imposed against the two South Africans, Moyo and Mlambo.
The culmination of in-depth probing into illicit gold dealings ended a trial which began in November 2023, following their arrest by the multi-disciplinary law enforcement agents. Agencies included the Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) unit, its head office’s Precious Metals and Diamonds (PMD) team, the Public Order Police (POP), and Protea Coin security company.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the court sentenced Mlambo to a fine of R250 000 or nine years’ imprisonment for contravention of the Precious Metals Act.
“He was also ordered to pay another R250 000 or undergo nine years’ imprisonment for money laundering. Moyo was ordered to pay a fine of R100 000 for contravention of the Precious Metals Act,” said Matoti. She said the Mozambican Sithole received 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on the condition that he 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,” said Matoti. She said Sithole was denied bail and was remanded until completion of the criminal trial.
The convicted gold smugglers’ first blow came with a court forfeiture order granted in November last year for proceeds worth more than R10 million. These include seized cash amounting to more than R4 million, four vehicles, and 16 unwrought gold nuggets recovered from one of the vehicles.
“The Hawks, together with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), secured a forfeiture order against the recovered gold and cash.”
Matoti said Mlambo forfeited gold estimated to the value of R4 578 200, cash amounting to R5 510 772, and Toyota FJ Cruiser 4X4,” said Matoti. She said the accused were arrested after reliable information was received by the Hawks concerning gold that was illegally purchased from the suspects in Welkom and then taken to Gauteng. Matoti said the team of multi-disciplinary law enforcement agents entered the crime scene and caught the convicted trio in the act.
