Mathale’s wife faces jail over mining

Mokgadi Kgohloane Photo: Moloko Moloto

Mokgadi Kgohloane Photo: Moloko Moloto

Published Aug 28, 2013

Share

Johannesburg - Former Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale’s wife, Mokgadi Kgohloane, faces a possible R5 million fine or 10 years’ imprisonment if found guilty of mining illegally.

Kgohloane handed herself over to the police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, on Tuesday in connection with charges relating to illegal mining.

She and five others - Helen Moreroa, Simon Mokhina, Tau Mogoboya, and George and Matome Maponya - appeared in the Naphuno Regional Court and were released on a warning to appear again in court in November.

The five are Kgohloane’s co-directors in the mining company Blue Platinum Ventures 16 (Pty) Ltd.

They all stand accused of operating their mining company without permission from the Department of Mineral Resources.

The court heard that an additional accused, David Rammalo, had since died.

Mathale, who resigned last month as premier on instruction from the ANC, was also in court.

Kgohloane’s troubles with the law started in 2011 after The Star revealed that the mining company was operating without a valid permit. The company operated as Batlhabine Brickyard at Tlabine village outside Tzaneen.

On Tuesday, Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said the accused were subpoenaed to hand themselves over.

“According to the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, if you are granted a mining permit, you must mine within a year, otherwise it lapses.

“They continued to operate without renewing the permit,” said Ramaloko.

According to the charge sheet, the mineral resources department granted the company a mining permit in December 2005, but operations commenced in December 2006.

The accused face 15 counts in relation to the alleged contravention of mineral and environmental, and water laws.

On Tuesday, the State requested that the matter be postponed to November for a full disclosure of the contents of the dockets.

The Star

Related Topics: