he Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation on Friday, 21 June 2019 arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with the intended sale of fake diamonds.
The man allegedly wanted to sell the diamonds for R40 000. The Hawks were tipped off and they immediately enticed the suspect to a meeting where a deal was struck. The suspect was arrested on the spot after he produced the diamonds. A check of the items, they were found to be fake.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Kholekile Galawe has cautioned and appealed to the public to desist from illegal trading because it is a crime punishable by law.
“Irrespective whether you are a seller or a buyer, no individual is authorised to trade in diamonds outside the confines of the law. The public must not create markets for criminal minded people to continue with scams and steal,” he said.
The suspect is expected to appear before Springbok Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24 June 2019 for alleged illegal possession of fake diamonds and fraud.