Johannesburg - The Hawks working with the police Special Task Force and crime intelligence have seized 48kg of gold worth almost R20 million believed to be linked to highly organised syndicates trading in illegal gold.
They launched a co-ordinated raid on Thursday, simultaneously hitting 18 properties in Limpopo, Springs and central Joburg. Targets included a gold refinery and residential properties.
On one of the properties, the police discovered a refinery, armoured vehicles and a large number of documents.
They seized R20m in unwrought gold at a warehouse in Joburg. It is alleged that the gold was about to be exported when the members intercepted it.
This comes as a result of an 18-month-old, intensive covert operation - Operation Tarantula - into an underworld syndicate that allegedly contravenes the Precious Metal Act by illegally processing and dealing in gold.
The Hawks had not planned to launch the raids on Thursday, but after learning that a large consignment of gold was about to be moved, they decided to swoop.
“This is huge, these are really organised syndicates we are dealing with,” Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi told the media.
“They are not only dealing in South Africa, they have got contacts in Africa, Europe and Arab countries… with the ongoing investigation we will see if we cannot involve Interpol.”
The acting national head of the Hawks, Major-General Berning Ntlemeza, welcomed the recovery of the gold.
“No stone will be left unturned in our efforts to serve justice as crime continues to reap from and destroy the economy of this country,” he said.
The Hawks say they expect to make several arrests in the next few days. Forty-six people have been arrested since Operation Tarantula was launched.
Saturday Star