CARLETONVILLE - Six alleged illegal mining kingpins have appeared at the Oberholzer magistrate's court in Carletonville on Wednesday.
They face charges including fraud, money laundering, possession of ammunition, drugs and contravening the Precious Metals Act.
They were nabbed during a raid by the Hawks following a string of illegal mining cases.
Their lawyer hoped to launch an urgent bail bid but the State opposed, saying more investigations are needed first.
Initially, the Hawks said they nabbed seven people but only six appeared in court.
“The other one, there was a clerical error where he was charged twice and as you have heard the charges, it’s four counts of fraud, money laundering, possession of drugs as well as possession of ammunition," said Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale.
"Those are the charges that one of the was charged with, possession of drugs separately.”
The matter has been postponed to 19 October for a formal bail application hearing.
* eNCA’s Siphamandla Goge reports.