Illegal mining suspect nabbed with chrome worth R75 000

ATOK – A 39 year-old suspected illegal miner was arrested and chrome worth an estimated street value of R75 000 confiscated in the Apel policing area on Saturday, 14 December.

Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, stated that the intelligence-driven joint operation, conducted in the early hours of the morning, was run in collaboration with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at Atok Village.

Ledwaba said it resulted from receipt of information regarding illegal mining activities at a site in the area.

“Upon arrival, the team found a male individual who had already loaded bags of chrome into his bakkie. The suspect then attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle. The members pursued him and eventually intercepted him in Shushumela Village, where four bags containing chrome, which had been loaded onto the bakkie, were recovered. Further investigation revealed several additional bags of chrome inside the suspect’s yard, which he had already transported from the mine. The suspect was arrested for illegal mining, possession of chrome and expected to appear before the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 17 December,” informed Ledwaba. The paper had not received the outcome of the suspect’s court appearance at the time of going to press.

Ledwaba indicated that additionally, during the operation to inspect illegal mining sites, the officers encountered trucks illegally loading sand without the required permits or documentation in the Malipsdrift policing area. Three suspects, aged between 37 and 47, were charged with contravention of Section 24F (1) (a) of NEMA 107 0f 1998 and each paid a fine of R1500.

The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the role players for their joint efforts and teamwork that led to the arrests and further commended the community members for providing valuable information.