Suspected illegal miner arrested and truck fully laden with chrome confiscated

POLOKWANE - The persistent disruptive operations conducted by the Police in the Province against illegal mining activities continue to yield positive results when a 47-year-old suspect was arrested after he was found transporting chrome in a huge truck at Seleteng Ga-Mphahlele outside Lebowakgomo on Friday, 17 February 2023.

The suspect was reportedly spotted by the local community members driving the truck fully loaded with chrome. He was then cornered and stopped by the same community members who called the Police.

Preliminary investigations conducted at the scene indicated that the said chrome was mined from an unused old mine just outside Lebowakgomo.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded Community members of Seleteng outside Lebowakgomo for their cooperation which ensured that the suspect is apprehended and the truck confiscated.

The suspect, who is a foreign national, is expected to appear before the Lebowakgomo Magistrate's Court on Monday, 20 February 2023 for the unlawful possession of minerals and illegal mining.

Police investigations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service