Four suspected illegal miners arrested at Beatrix mine, 184kg of material seized
Four suspected illegal miners remain in custody after a joint SAPS, SANDF and mine security operation at Beatrix mine in Theunissen allegedly caught them conducting unlawful surface mining and led to the seizure of 184.1kg of suspected gold-bearing material.
Four illegal miners were arrested at the Beatrix mine in the Free State during Operation Prosper, resulting in the seizure of over 184kg of suspected gold-bearing material. The suspects, aged between 28 and 36, were apprehended Friday night while conducting unlawful surface mining activities at Shaft 2’s rock dump in Theunissen.
Sergeant Palesa Thabana of the South African Police Service (SAPS) reported that seven bags containing the potentially valuable material were found on the four men. The accused individuals are Tseko Montso, 28, Thabang Phoshodi, 29, Lefojane Matala, 36, and Refuoe Ramokoena, 29. They appeared in Theunissen Magistrate’s Court on September 28, with their case rescheduled for October 13 to allow for address verification. All four suspects remain in custody.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
