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Aug. 5, 2019

STAFF REPORTER

1 min read

Basotho Zama-Zamas deported

Basotho Zama-Zamas deported

According to a statement released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Commissioner’s office, other convicts comprised nationals of Zimbabwe and Mozambique who were also charged with

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MASERU – A number of Lesotho nationals who were last week convicted by the Welkom Magistrate’s Court of a battery of crimes including among others burglary, possession of unlicensed guns and motor vehicle theft were deported back home.

According to a statement released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Commissioner’s office, other convicts comprised nationals of Zimbabwe and Mozambique who were also charged with similar crimes. The statement issued last week shows that besides importation, some of the convicts were slapped with direct imprisonment while others were given heavy fines. 

It further shows that between March 2017 and June, a total of 3 962 illegal miners (commonly called Zama-Zamas) from Lesotho Mozambique and Zimbabwe were arrested for crimes including trespassing, attempted theft of gold bearing materials, illegal possession of gold bearing materials, murder, house breaking, robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms, rape, and motor vehicles theft among others. 

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It states that most were sentenced from six months to two years in jail with options of heavy fines that ranged between R6 000 and R20 000 especially for trespassing and attempted theft of gold bearing materials. The statement also shows that the number of illegal miners who died underground between March 2017 and June stands at 206. 

 

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