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STATEMENT ON SUCCESSES BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE DIAMOND AND GOLD BRANCH IN PREVENTING UNLAWFUL TRADING IN PRECIOUS METALS AND STONES
Earlier this week the South African Police Service seized 5300 kg of unrefined platinum in Boitekong near Rustenburg. Acting on information, a disruption action by members of the Gold and Diamond Branch in Rustenburg was launched. They closed in on a house in Boitekong that was suspected to have been used as a smelter. One suspect was arrested and charged contravening Section 143(3) of Act 20 of 1967, Illegal possession of unrefined platinum. The suspect will appear in the Rustenburg Court today, 8 August 2001.
In a separate incident, 200 grams of unrefined platinum was seized in a house in Boitekong near Rustenburg. One suspect was arrested and also charged in terms of the same Act. The suspect will also appear in the Rustenburg Court today, 8 August 2001. The value of the platinum has not yet been ascertained.
On Monday, 6 August 2001, Isak Abram Labuschagne (36 years old) of Pietersburg and Jacobus Ockert Kruger (31 years old) of Randfontein were arrested in Mabopane for contravening Section 20 of Act 56 of 1986, the unlawful purchase of uncut diamonds. They attempted to purchase 6 uncut diamonds with a mass of 27,11 carats (value R97 768.00) for an amount of R50 000.00. R15 000.00 cash, a magnifying glass as well as other equipment were seized. The two men appeared in the Odi Magistrates Court in Ga-Rankuwa on 7 August 2001 and were released on R5 000.00 bail each. The case has been remanded until 18 September 2001 for further investigation.
Enquiries: Captain Ronnie Naidoo at 082 808 4547
Issued by: Office of the Divisional Commissioner, Detective Service, SAPS, 8 August 2001