R2m in diamonds, gold seized at border

Sars officials found rough diamonds and gold worth more than R2m in a goods truck at the Beitbridge border post.

Johannesburg - Rough diamonds and gold worth more than R2 million were found at the Beitbridge border post when a goods truck from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was inspected, the SA Revenue Services said on Friday.

Spokesman Luther Lebelo said customs officials discovered rough diamonds and gold hidden in a traveller’s belongings at the border post on Wednesday.

He said during the inspection officials noticed unusual objects in boxes being transported.

“Amongst various malachite artefacts, officials discovered a sealed container which contained different types of rough stones. On further inspection the following precious stones were found: 143.35g of suspected gold; 63.54g of suspected black diamonds; 67.58g of suspected diamonds; 173.10g of suspected uncut industrial diamonds; 10.36g of suspected clear uncut diamonds; and 566.87g of suspected industrial diamonds,” he said.

“The estimated value of all suspected diamonds is R2 263 501 and the estimated value of the suspected gold is R17 497.”

The suspected stones were handed over to the SA Police Service and the suspects were taken into custody, he said.

ANA