Five gold thieves were surprised in the early hours of Saturday morning when they were caught red handed by security guards of Protea Security at Sheba Mine.

According to Edmund Thorne, security manager of Barberton Mines, a woman guard monitoring the cameras installed at the mine saw the five suspicious-looking men on the premises. She alerted Protea Security and while staying in contact with her, they followed the men until they broke the locks of the redress room to gain access. Here the gold that is taken out of the mine is washed and prepared, before it goes further in the process of separating it from the debris.

The men were trapped in the room by the guards and in their attempt to escape they fired shots at the guards. In return fire, two suspects were hit. They, as well as third, were arrested and taken to the police station. The other two escaped.
On further investigation it was found that they cut a hole in the fence to gain access to grounds. A Volkswagen Jetta that the suspects admitted was their vehicle, was found a few kilometers from the mine, abandoned in the veld.

Cupreme Moocka was shot in the left leg and transferred to the Pretoria Academic Hospital where his leg was amputated. Saint Nkoza was shot in the buttocks and the shrapnel was removed in Barberton Provincial hospital where he is still being held in custody. 

Thorne said they were not sure if the two who escaped, had any gold with them. It still has to be determined how much, if any, gold was missing.

Solly Nkosi appeared in court on Monday. He was not granted bail and the case was postponed.
According to Insp Jesmorie Goosen, they confiscated a licensed firearm that belonged to Nkiza. The serious and violent crime unit of Nelspruit is investigating the case.

Thorne made it clear that harsh action would be taken against anybody breaking in at any of the mines.