19 illegal miners arrested in Stilfontein receive suspended sentences
'Each of the convicts was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment which is wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that the accused person is not convicted for contravention of Section 5A of Act 28 of 2008', explained police.
Police process illegal miners at a abandoned mine in Stilfontein after they resurfaced on 30 November 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Nineteen illegal miners arrested in Stilfontein have been sentenced to 24 months, fully suspended.
The group appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrates Court in the North West earlier this week.
They were arrested after resurfacing at the Margaret Shaft during the police's Operation Vala Umgodi in November.
The convicted miners include 14 Lesotho nationals, four Mozambicans and a Zimbabwean.
North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone:
"Each of the convicts was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment which is wholly suspended for the period of five years on condition that the accused person is not convicted of contravention of Section 5A of Act 28 of 2008.
Each accused was sentenced to a fine of R6,000, which is wholly suspended for the period of five years on condition that the accused person is not convicted for illegal immigrant entry committed during suspension."
Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs is processing the convicted miners for deportation.
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