A 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing minerals with an estimated worth of R26m in KwaZulu-Natal. Sphamandla Mdletshe was sentenced in the Richards Bay Regional Court after entering into a plea agreement with the state.
Police say he was linked to a syndicate allegedly involved in stealing and illegally trading zircon and other minerals belonging to Richards Bay Minerals.
Eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.
Police Spokesperson Colonel Vincent Mukhathi says the matter against the remaining accused has been postponed to the 27th of August for a pre-trial conference.
#sapsHQ [ACCUSED LINKED TO THE THEFT OF MINERALS WORTH R26 MILLION SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT]
The South African Police Service (SAPS) welcomes the 10-year imprisonment sentence handed down by the Richards Bay Regional Court to 37-year-old Sphamandla Mdletshe, who was… pic.twitter.com/BgaCr4YMpS
— SA Police Service
(@SAPoliceService) August 8, 2026
“On 16th August 2025, Mdletshe was arrested in the North West province after evading arrest for nearly a year. He was charged with theft of mineral and made several appearances before the Richards Bay Regional Court after abandoning his bail application. He remained in custody until his conviction and he was sentenced to 10 years of direct imprisonment,” says Mukhathi.
He says the case against the remaining accused has been postponed to 27th august for a pre-trial conference welcoming the sentence.
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