The Virginia High Court in the Free State handed down lengthy jail terms to 22 illegal miners on Tuesday.

The mastermind behind the illegal operation in the Masimong Mine‚ Lovemore Chaba Mlambo‚ 35‚ will serve 25 years in prison. Simon Mashava Cremora‚38‚ will serve 23 years behind bars.

Ronnie Hlongwane Aaron Chauke‚ 37‚ Thomas Mauvu‚ 32‚ Tsepo Mashaba‚30‚ Ernest Raas Mahlako‚ 40‚ and Matias Patric Sibizwa‚ 27‚ received a 22 year jail term each.

Godfrey Nduna Madiba‚ 43‚ Nkosokolo Makaula‚ 40‚ Lazarus Chitebe‚ 20‚ Manginke Msimango‚ 21‚ Jabu Mlambo‚ 21‚ John Mutumane‚ 22‚ Wanda Nqwilisi‚ 26‚ Melikhaya Pere‚ 35‚ Ngarigai Mthisi‚ 27‚ Samson Muyambo‚ 26‚ Johang Qwenzi‚ 25‚ Isaac Moyekeni Motusi‚ 33‚ Tsokoliso Lephailo‚ 36‚ and Bongeka Makaula‚ 37‚ will serve 20 years in jail.

The 22 miners were arrested in April 2014 for illegal mining operations that started in August 2012 at the mine in Welkom. They were arrested during an operation conducted by a security company and the Hawks.

Initially‚ the miners were facing 843 charges. However‚ they were cleared of 266 charges and were found guilty on 577 charges last month.

The charges included racketeering‚ money laundering and contravention of the Precious Metals Act. They were also charged for trespassing as well as theft of more than R120 million.

Hawks boss Lieutenant-General Mthandazo Ntlemeza hailed the sentence as a landmark moment in the fight against illegal mining in the country.

“We hope that this precedent set by our courts will not only serve as a deterrent‚ but will also help us in our efforts to combat illegal mining even in other upcoming cases‚” said Ntlemeza.