R350 Million platinum recovered
Hawks bust Zama Zama syndicate in Rustenburg
Rustenburg – The battle against illegal mining continues to intensify as law enforcement agencies in Rustenburg and Brits successfully dismantled a major illegal platinum syndicate. The low international platinum prices and the complex web of this organised crime have made it a high-stakes fight, with billions of rands at risk.
On Wednesday, 7 August 2024, in a coordinated operation, members of the North West Hawks, in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) head office’s tactical operations management section, the SAPS Airwing, and the Digital Forensic Laboratory, arrested five suspects.
Claudette du Plessis (36), George Sambo (37), Michael du Plessis (40), Alphigio Tavavinga (42), and Hendrick Viljoen (67) were apprehended and appeared before the Tlhabane Magistrates’ Court the following day, facing serious charges including illegal dealing in unwrought precious metals, theft, and illegal possession of unwrought precious metals.
The arrests followed critical information received about the theft of suspected platinum group material at a mine in Rustenburg, valued at an estimated R350 million. The stolen platinum was allegedly stored in Rustenburg and Brits, waiting to be sold on the black market. The operation to capture the suspects involved simultaneous raids on two premises, catching the perpetrators off guard.
Initially, seven suspects were taken into custody, but after a preliminary investigation, two were released as they could not be directly linked to the crime. The remaining five suspects have been remanded in custody, with their bail application scheduled for 16 August 2024.
A mining industry insider, who spoke to Platinum Weekly on condition of anonymity, highlighted the complexity of illegal mining operations. “Illegal mining is not merely a breach of law; it’s a sophisticated operation backed by influential mafia networks, which complicates crackdown efforts,” the source explained.
Lieutenant colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, speaking about the operation, remarked, “The alleged stolen platinum, estimated at R350 million, was kept in Rustenburg and Brits for sale. The team simultaneously raided the two premises.”
Despite the success of the raid, the anonymous mining expert warned of the broader implications of illegal mining in an already struggling industry. “This underground market thrives because illegal operations usually don’t pay any tax, have no legal safety or other regulatory appointments, and have no regard for their environmental impact and accompanied costs,” he noted.
Legal platinum producers are currently navigating revenue losses and a weaker demand, making the impact of illegal mining even more pronounced.
With organised crime syndicates operating right under our noses, the fight against illegal mining is far from over. The recent arrests are a significant step forward, but the battle against these powerful networks continues.
