RUSTENBURG — A major Rustenburg platinum theft plot was disrupted this week, resulting in the arrest of a 38-year-old contractor accused of attempting to smuggle R2 million in precious metals off-site. Ayanda Mjulwa now faces severe legal consequences after authorities intercepted a staggering 5,840 kilograms of processed platinum.
The incident unfolded on Monday, 03 August 2026, when the Rustenburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit acted on targeted intelligence regarding an insider heist. Working in tandem with private mine security teams, detectives initiated a surveillance operation to monitor suspicious movements at a local mining facility.
According to a spokesperson for the investigating unit, the joint task force observed a truck, allegedly driven by Mjulwa, passing through the mine’s refinery checkpoint. Officers moved in and successfully stopped the vehicle just beyond the facility’s perimeter. A subsequent search of the cargo bed revealed the massive cache of stolen processed platinum, confirming the tip-off.
Following the multi-million rand seizure, Mjulwa was taken into custody. He made his first appearance in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 05 August 2026, where he stood accused of theft of precious metals and unlawful possession of platinum materials.
The presiding magistrate remanded the contractor in custody without bail until 18 August 2026, at which time his legal team is scheduled to present a formal bail application.
The successful bust highlights ongoing, aggressive efforts by organized crime units to crack down on the illicit syndication and theft of the region’s valuable mineral resources.
