-Staff Writer / Friday, 23 January 2026
A former executive manager of a mining company operating in the North West has appeared in court on charges of fraud and theft involving more than R70 million.
Hawks spokesperson Tinyiko Mathebula said Johan van Vuuren (49), formerly employed by Heaven Sent Gold Group SA, appeared before the Orkney Magistrates’ Court after his arrest by the Klerksdorp-based Serious Corruption Investigation unit.
According to Mathebula, the alleged crimes were committed between 2020 and 2022 while Van Vuuren was serving as an executive manager at the company, which owns mining operations in Klerksdorp.
“The accused allegedly flouted supply chain management processes and unlawfully awarded contracts to two mining companies without the approval of the Heaven Sent board,” Mathebula said.
Investigators allege that one company was awarded contracts worth more than R50 million, while another received contracts valued at R20 million. Further investigations revealed that Van Vuuren allegedly had personal interests in the company that was awarded the R20 million contract.
The Hawks also uncovered that the company awarded the R50 million contract allegedly made payments to entities linked to family members of the accused.
Van Vuuren was arrested on Thursday morning and later released on R20 000 bail. The matter was postponed to 17 April 2026 for further investigations.
News Junction (Gold Standard)