Mpumalanga Tightens Net on Alleged Gold Smuggling Ring

A Mbombela court has ordered the forfeiture of vehicles worth R930 000 after investigators linked them to an alleged gold smuggling network operating between Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Authorities say the assets were tied to gold reportedly sourced from illegal miners.

A Hawks financial probe traced more than R4.4 million in suspected illicit deposits used to buy property and vehicles. Officials say the forfeiture is part of a broader push to weaken gold smuggling syndicates by cutting off their financial lifelines.