Update: Chrome theft not being investigated
Chrome theft worth R1 Million a day from is affecting the Lydenburg and Burgersfort/ Steelpoort area and was thrust again in the spotlight following last week's report on a chrome bust near Middelburg.
According to a report by the Rapport newspaper, legal mining of chrome requires strict regulations of which the department enforces – and yet thieves exploit the illegal mines and get away with at least R1 Million a day.
Trucks wait in queues to load up 30 tons of chrome each which sells at a price of R1 200 per ton.
This translates into large profits as illegal mines do not have permits or have to pay associating fees – resulting in large sums of money being made without the risk of getting caught.
This is because law enforcement, and specifically the police, is failing to do their job.
The chrome is being sold in all parts of the country and a significant amount gets sold to buyers in Maputo.
Various legal mines in the area, who sometimes have their chrome stolen, have reported the incidents to relevant departments and informed Police about the ongoings – but little to nothing is being done.
It is believed that everyone involved is making good money out of the theft, from truck drivers to the dealers and buyers.
Last week three trucks transporting stolen chrome were stopped just 5km outside Middelburg and found with fraudulent paperwork. The bust was said to be the biggest ever for the Middelburg CPF and the trucks- together with the drivers – were taken to the Middelburg Police Station.
But just hours later and without proper explanation, they were let go together with their cargo.
Read previous story here: Busted for stolen chrome
The Rapport newspaper quoted a businessman stating that police were too scared to get involved due to interference by the Gupta family.
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