DStv Channel 403 Saturday, 14 December 2024

Illegal mining | Sabie miners back in court on Thursday

JOHANNESBURG - The case against the 153 Sabie illegal miners has been postponed to Thursday and next week.

READ: Illegal mining | 153 miners brought to the surface in Sabie rescue operation

The Sabie Magistrate's Court could not accommodate all the accused at once on Monday.

Charges have been withdrawn against the 10 illegal miners who are South African citizens, as they've opted to turn state witness.

Eight Lesotho nationals among the illegal miners are believed to be kingpins, and  facing charges of illegal mining, kidnapping and contravening the Immigration Act.

Six of the eight are awaiting private legal representation.

The remaining 135 claim to have been held against their will underground and forced to mine illegally. They are facing charges of contravening of Immigration Act.

The 153 illegal miners were rescued from an abandoned mine in Sabie, Mpumalanga last week, in an intense three-day operation.

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