| 2024/04/27 |
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Media Statement RICHARDS BAY – A SAPS task team that has been deployed to the Richards Bay area to prevent, combat and put a stop to the theft of mineral continues to dismantle a syndicate behind a spate of mineral looting. In the latest recovery, the task team traced Zircon and Chloride minerals worth R15 million at a warehouse in Johannesburg. The minerals that are mined from Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) were diverted from the Richards Bay Harbour and stored at a warehouse where they were being repackaged to be sold to international buyers. It’s alleged that this syndicate, would transport fake minerals to the harbour and divert the original minerals to JHB. On Wednesday, 24 April 2024, the team pounced on the warehouse and during a thorough search of the premises found the minerals worth millions. Police have registered a case of theft. This is the second recovery of minerals worth millions for the team. In March 2024, the team also found minerals at a Durban warehouse. The driver of the truck and the owner of the warehouse have since been arrested. The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has applauded the work of the task team. “The team is also investigating the assassination of executives in the area. So far, 202 unlicensed firearms have been seized, 43 suspects have been arrested and 68 dockets are currently under investigation. Our intelligence remains on the ground to put a stop to these illegal activities in the mining sector”, said General Masemola A search is underway for the owner of the warehouse. Ends
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