Eighty-Eighth Suspect Added In The Case Against Orkney Suspected Illegal Miners
The Stilfontein Regional Court postponed the case against the eighty-seven(87) suspected illegal miners, arrested at shaft 2 in Orkney to 06 September 2022, for docket and consultations. In the last three postponements, the defence attorney committed to providing the state with a hard drive, at which the state will provide the content of the docket, which includes video footage. Such was not fulfilled and the attorney cited a lack of cooperation from the families of the accused, who have been committing to provide him with the hard drive.
He recommitted in court to provide it on 30 August 2022, as instructed by the court. The Magistrate indicated that no further postponement will be granted, and instructed the attorney to ensure that the hard drive is provided on the agreed date. Meanwhile, Thethile Master Boyce (60), was added to the charge sheet as the 88th suspect, and he appeared with the other 87 accused. Hawks investigations revealed that Boyce is a taxi owner, who allegedly transported the suspected illegal miners to and from the mine, and also transported food. His taxi was seized by the Hawks, after his arrest. He is currently out on R2000 bail.
The other 87 accused, are in police custody, and they indicated their intention to the court of applying for bail and have appointed a different attorney to represent them just for this application. They initially abandoned bail, owing to their illegal status in South Africa. They are charged with six(6) counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, conspiracy to commit robbery, illegal mining, possession of automatic firearms, attempted murder and contravening the immigration act.
Police reports indicate that eight (8) of the accused, were wounded and six (6) fatally wounded, during a shootout with members of the Special Task Force, assisted by Hawks Organised Crime in the North West, during an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday 20 October 2021. The eight (8) injured have since been discharged from the hospital, and are now in police custody. Following the shootout, Police discovered, two mini-busses, illegal mining paraphernalia, gold-bearing material, and eleven Illegal firearms (3 x shotguns, 3 x rifles, 4 x pistols and 1 x revolver) and bags of food.
The suspects will remain in police custody until the next court appearance.
Enquiries:
Henry Mamothame
NPA Regional Spokesperson
North West Division
082 317 5731