The Mogwase Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Siphelele Mlangeni, 26, and Bennet Mendi, 42, to R20 000 fine or six (6) years imprisonment on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, after they were found guilty of illegal mining and contravention of Immigration Act.
This comes after the accused were arrested in August 2024 by members of the Vala Umgodi Task Team after they were caught mining chrome illegally in Witrantje Village near Sun City.
The Hawks spokesperson in the North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula indicated that after the arrest of the accused, they made several court appearances until they entered into a plea bargain with the State.
“They were found guilty of illegal mining and were sentenced as follows:
R20 000 fine or six (6) years imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of illegal mining during the period of suspension. The court ordered them to pay an amount of R10 000 each on or before 03 December 2025.
“Meanwhile, on Thursday, 26 November 2025, another three accused were sentenced on a separate matter to six years imprisonment for illegal mining and contravention of Immigration Act. Learnmore Mtapwa, 27, Moses Maharabe, 27 and Caiphus Moyo, 40, were arrested by members of the Vala Umgodi Task Team in June 2024 in Tlhatlhaganyane Village near Sun City,” said Mathebula.
It is reported that the accused were caught mining chrome without permits. They were apprehended and charged with illegal mining and contravention of Immigration.
The accused made several court appearances until they entered into a plea bargain with the State and were sentenced as follows:
Count one: illegal mining – they were sentenced to six (6) years imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension.
Count two: contravention of Immigration Act – they were sentenced to two years imprisonment, which is suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension. The accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm and that they must be deported after serving their sentences.
