TRIO SENTENCED FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF PRECIOUS METALS AND MONEY LAUNDERING

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By: Neo Ntsele

The Sasolburg High Court has on Thursday 24, imposed a befitting sentence on three accused for acquisition, possession, and disposal of precious metals, money laundering, and illegal immigration.

The sentencing originates from November 2023, when the Hawks received information about gold that was illegally purchased from the accused in Welkom and taken to Gauteng.

The integrated team led by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Welkom, in collaboration with Head Office's Precious Metals and Diamonds (PMD), Public Order Police (POP), and the local Protea Coin Security approached the crime scene and arrested Progress Bayeni Mlambo (44), Leonard Robert Moyo (47), and Leonard Kocanai Sithole (28).

Several items were seized during the arrest, including cash amounting to more than R4 million, four vehicles, and sixteen unwrought gold nuggets recovered from one of the vehicles.

The Hawks, together with the National Prosecuting Authority, secured a forfeiture order against the recovered gold and cash.

The court sentenced Progress Bayeni Mlambo to a fine of R250,000 or nine years for contravention of the Precious Metals Act.

He was also ordered to pay another R250,000 or undergo nine years imprisonment for money laundering.

Leonard Robert Moyo was ordered to pay a fine of R100,000 for contravention of the Precious Metals Act.

The court sentenced Leonard Kocanai Sithole to 12 months' imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of contravening the Immigration Act during the period of suspension.

The court also ruled that the accused be deported to his country with immediate effect.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Free State, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, commended the collective effort made by all involved forces towards achieving this befitting sentence.