The Hawks have successfully dismantled an illegal gold smuggling operation in Greenstone, Gauteng, following the arrest of three individuals on December 6, 2024. The operation, conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), targeted a complex in the Greenstone Ridge area, where a search led to the discovery of several gold-related items, including three gold nuggets and suspected gold dust. The value of the seized items is estimated at around R2.5 million. The arrests are part of a broader effort by the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation unit to combat illegal gold trading and smuggling in the region.
According to Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha, the investigation was a result of detailed observations and intelligence gathering by the Johannesburg serious organised crime investigation team. After securing a search warrant from the Germiston Magistrate’s Court, the team executed the operation, leading to the apprehension of two individuals who attempted to flee upon the Hawks’ arrival. A thorough search of the premises uncovered several items related to gold smelting, suggesting the operation was involved in the illegal processing and distribution of precious metals.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Isaac Ngunyamba, Comfort Chinema, and Aron Mahoso. They were charged in connection with their roles in the illegal gold operation and appeared before the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on December 9, 2024. The case has been provisionally postponed to Friday, December 13, 2024, for bail proceedings. The arrest of these suspects is a significant win for the Hawks, who have ramped up their efforts to curb the illegal gold trade that has been growing in the region.
This operation follows a major breakthrough last month in Brakpan, where the Hawks arrested two suspects, Joachim Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa, for unlawful possession of gold worth approximately R15 million. The two men were found in possession of six bars of unwrought gold and were attempting to find a buyer for the valuable minerals. The operation, which took place at Helderwyk Estate, resulted in the seizure of the gold and the suspects’ arrest. In addition to the gold, law enforcement agents also confiscated a Mercedes Benz SUV, further underlining the scale of the illicit trade.
Captain Ramovha emphasized the importance of these arrests in the Hawks’ ongoing fight against illegal gold trading, which has become a growing problem in Gauteng and other parts of South Africa. The success of the operation in Greenstone highlights the Hawks’ determination to tackle organized crime syndicates involved in the illicit precious metal trade. The team’s collaboration with other law enforcement agencies continues to yield positive results in disrupting these criminal activities and preventing the illegal flow of gold into the market.
As investigations continue, the Hawks remain vigilant and committed to uncovering the full extent of these illegal operations. The public is encouraged to report any information related to illegal gold trading to assist law enforcement in bringing perpetrators to justice. With the recent string of successes in apprehending key players in the gold smuggling trade, the Hawks’ efforts send a clear message that they are actively targeting this high-value crime. The arrests in Greenstone are part of a broader strategy to safeguard South Africa’s precious resources from exploitation by criminal elements.
