| 2024/03/31 |
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Media Statement
NELSPRUIT – Theft of chrome has been a thorn in the flesh at Ogies Policing Precinct for quite some time. As a result, efforts were made by the men and women in Blue, which resulted in the arrest of four suspects aged between 23 and 49 in separate incidents. The four were arrested in the past week and their cases are before the Ogies Magistrate’s Court. Amongst the arrested suspects, two were charged for possession of suspected stolen properties after being reportedly found with chrome stones, and the chrome, as well as the vehicle used as a transport were confiscated for further investigation. Meanwhile, one of the suspects was arrested for general theft after being found by security guards, loading the chrome stones into the bakkie. The chrome stones and the bakkie were also seized as part of the investigation. There was also another suspect caught by members assigned on Operation Vala Umgodi. The members found him operating an excavator, busy digging the shaft which convinced the law enforcers that the man was somehow involved in illegal mining activities hence he was apprehended. In another incident involving theft of chrome stones in Ogies, the local Police received a call on 25 March 2024 around 17h00 regarding a group of a mob who had gone rampage and offloaded chrome stones from a train. Members responded accordingly and upon arrival, people were busy looting however, upon noticing law enforcement officers, they fled the scene to evade the arrest, thereby leaving behind about 111 bags filled with chrome stones which was confiscated by the police for further investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcome the arrest of the suspect and reassured the public that Police are doing their utmost best to address the issue of illegal mining activities.
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