A large rough diamond is viewed through a loup. File picture: Simon Dawson, Bloomberg
THREE suspects between the ages of 40 and 51 made a brief appearance before the Upington Magistrate’s Court on charges of dealing in unpolished diamonds.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi said the accused - Lionel Cloete, Owen Kowa and Motale Joseph Kheola were arrested on May 18 by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
“Information was received regarding a male suspect intending to sell unpolished diamond. A disruptive operation was conducted where suspects were apprehended immediately after a potential buyer purchased unpolished diamond amounting to R120,000. The team also managed to seize five cellphones, one unpolished four-carat diamond and a BMW 3 Series,” said Mnisi.
She added that the three accused were granted R5,000 bail each when they appeared before the Upington Magistrate’s Court on May 19.
“The case was postponed until July 18 for further investigation.”