KEY POINTS
-
Alleged illegal gold mining kingpin Bethuel Ngobeni forfeited his R60,000 bail after failing to appear in court for trial and is currently on the run.
-
The Pretoria High Court ruled the bail forfeiture after finding that Ngobeni’s legal team failed to respond to multiple communications from the state.
-
Ngobeni faces charges linked to a multimillion-rand gold smuggling syndicate and has been accused of using his freedom to evade justice.
Bethuel Ngobeni, a man believed to be one of South Africa’s most notorious illegal gold mining kingpins, has officially forfeited his R60,000 bail to the state after failing to appear for trial earlier this year.
Sowetanlive reports that the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday confirmed the forfeiture after the accused failed to present himself for court proceedings in February 2025.
Ngobeni, who also goes by the alias Zingai Dhliwayo, has been on the run since missing his court date. He stands accused of leading a sprawling multimillion-rand illicit gold mining operation that stretches across Carletonville and Khutsong in Gauteng.
His criminal enterprise allegedly involved the illegal extraction and trade of raw gold, funding a lavish lifestyle marked by the acquisition of luxury vehicles and high-end real estate.
During Wednesday’s hearing, state advocate Nqobile Maphalala informed the court that Ngobeni’s legal team had been made aware of the state’s application for the forfeiture of his bail. However, according to Maphalala, the legal representatives failed to cooperate or provide any valid reasons for Ngobeni’s absence.
“The state has attempted on numerous occasions to engage with Mr. Ngobeni’s legal counsel regarding this matter, but our efforts have gone unanswered,” said Maphalala.
Judge Portia Phahlane presided over the proceedings and subsequently ordered that the R60,000 bail posted by Ngobeni be permanently forfeited to the state, citing his blatant disregard for the legal process.
Judge previously warned about bail oversight
Ngobeni’s legal troubles have been mounting since his arrest alongside eight co-accused last year. In October 2023, he was controversially granted bail by Magistrate Tebogo Tlhapi Thupaatlase at the Oberholzer Magistrate’s Court in Carletonville.
The decision was met with public criticism and immediate concern from law enforcement authorities who warned that Ngobeni posed a serious flight risk due to his international connections and access to illicit funds.
Just one month later, in November 2024, Pretoria High Court Judge Mokhine Mosopa overturned the bail ruling, stating, “It is my considered view that Magistrate Thupaatlase misdirected himself when releasing [Ngobeni] on bail and ignored evidence before him.”
By then, however, Ngobeni had already used his temporary freedom to vanish. Authorities believe he may have used false identification or crossed international borders under an alias. Investigations are ongoing to determine his current location, and a warrant for his arrest remains active.
Ngobeni’s criminal history includes allegations of money laundering, illegal mining, racketeering, and the unlawful possession of gold. According to earlier reports, he spent over R4.2 million in just seven months on luxury cars and property, raising suspicions about the scale and profitability of his operations.
The trial, involving his eight co-accused, is scheduled to resume on August 4, 2025. The case has drawn national attention due to the growing impact of illegal mining on South Africa’s economy, infrastructure, and public safety. Law enforcement agencies and mining sector analysts have warned that syndicates like Ngobeni’s are deeply entrenched and often operate with the aid of corrupt officials and forged documents.
In a related case, investigators previously discovered how another accused in the syndicate acquired a fraudulent South African identity document 12 years after entering the country illegally. The syndicate is believed to have international links, particularly in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where raw gold is also processed and smuggled.
Authorities have urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to Ngobeni’s arrest. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are calling for stricter bail conditions and better oversight of illegal mining prosecutions to prevent similar incidents in future.
