NORTH WEST – Bernhard van Niekerk (62) was sentenced to one (1) year imprisonment or payment of a R50 000 fine at the Schweizer-Reneke District court on Tuesday, 16 May 2017 for illegal mining and the unlawful possession of unpolished diamonds.
The Hawks members followed up on information that pin pointed the Eerste Begin farm in Amalia as a spot for illegal mining. On 1 December 2016, a search was conducted at the farm and the suspect was found on site with four (4) unpolished diamonds worth R14 000 in his possession.
An arrest was immediately effected and the suspect made an appearance at the Schweizer-Reneke District court on the same day.
