Three people were arrested at a complex in Greenstone in Gauteng following allegations they were involved in an illegal gold smuggling operation.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said the arrests took place on Friday, December 6, 2024, following a well-coordinated operation at the Greenstone Ridge complex.
Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said members of the Johannesburg serious organised crime investigation (SOCI) conducted observations and applied for a search warrant, which was granted by the Germiston Magistrate’s Court.
An operation was then executed by the serious organised crime investigation unit of the Hawks.
“Upon arrival at the premises, two individuals attempted to flee but were apprehended. A search of the property led to the discovery of three gold nuggets, suspected gold dust, and various items related to gold smelting were seized,” said Ramovha.
The value of the confiscated items, according to the Hawks, is approximately R2.5 million.
“The accused Isaac Ngunyamba, Comfort Chinema, and Aron Mahoso appeared at the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Monday, December, 9 2024,” said Ramovha.
The case was provisionally postponed to Friday for bail proceedings.
Last month, IOL reported that two men appeared in court after they were arrested by the Hawks, in Brakpan for unlawful possession of gold valued around R15 million.
At the time, Ramovha said the accused are 33-year-old Zimbabwean man, Joachim Chivayo, and Ayanda Brian Gungwa, a 20-year-old South African citizen.
“The Gauteng Hawks' serious organised crime investigation team, in collaboration with their head office counterparts, achieved a significant breakthrough in their fight against illegal precious metal trading by arresting the two suspects involved in the unlawful possession of gold,” said Ramovha.
“On Tuesday, at approximately 1:15pm, the dedicated team executed a meticulously planned operation, leading to the successful arrests of the suspects.”
Ramovha said the two were apprehended while they were in possession of six bars of unwrought gold, as they were attempting to find a buyer for the minerals.
“The suspects, Joachim Chivayo, a 33-year-old Zimbabwean national, and Ayanda Brian Gungwa, a 20-year-old South African citizen, were promptly arrested at Helderwyk Estate. The seized gold, valued at approximately R15 million, underscores the gravity of the crime,” said Ramovha.
He said the law enforcement agents also seized a Mercedes Benz sport utility vehicle during the arrest of the two men - Chivayo and Gungwa.
IOL