R5 mill chrome recovered, illegal mining out of control

South African Police Service

R5 mill chrome recovered, illegal mining out of control
R5 mill chrome recovered, illegal mining out of control

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma warns persons who are embroiled in illegal mining and illicit dealing in minerals that their time is up.

The warning by the Provincial Commissioner comes in the wake of sporadic incidences of illegal mining and illicit dealing in minerals around the province, in places like Barberton, Ermelo, Embalenhle and Lydenburg.

At some stage the police have learnt of violent clashes and in-fighting taking place involving rival groups and individuals that often go unreported. At times people even died as a result of the clashes and in fighting as well as the earth caving in and burying the people inside mine shafts.

The police will not tolerate these acts as a number of people have been arrested for possession and/or dealing in minerals. In the most recent event, 11 men aged between 24 and 59, two of which are Security Guards and another two, employees of the company were arrested and appeared before the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 April 2018, on charges of being found in possession of suspected stolen chrome.

The arrest emanated as a result of law abiding citizens who tipped off the police about some clandestine activities in the area. Police responded swiftly and at the mentioned place, nine trucks loaded with chrome to an estimated value of R5 million, were found, hence the arrest.

They were all remanded in custody until 24 April 2018, for a formal bail application.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service