Johannesburg: Two suspects between the ages of 37 and 45 will make their first court appearance on Monday, 26 May 2025, after they were arrested on Friday, 23 May 2025, by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) team and K9 Unit, all based in Johannesburg.
According to South African Police Service, information was received by the Hawks’ SOCI about a vehicle traveling along M2, allegedly carrying illicit gold. The police followed up on the information and deployed a team along the M2 road. The vehicle was spotted entering a filling station with two occupants inside and later drove out. Police followed the vehicle and stopped it on the M2 freeway. A search of the vehicle revealed nothing illegal inside. However, a further search discovered one of the suspects, a passenger, hiding 70 grams of illicit gold inside his shoes.
The suspects were taken back to their residence in Nelspruit for a continued search. Upon arrival, police searched the premises and discovered an additional 60 gra
ms of illicit gold. Both suspects were arrested for Contravention of the Precious Metal Act.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 May 2025.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, commended the work done by the investigation team. “The Hawks will remain resolute in combating cross-province organised crime, and we are determined to address the illegal gold impacting our nation,” he said. “The recent successes in the arrest of several individuals are a testament to that,” Major General Kadwa concluded.