Mpumalanga police tackle illegal mining activities in Ogies
Illegal mining has been increasing in this the area.
The police have arrested four suspects, aged between 23 and 49, in separate incidents in Ogies. A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said theft of chrome has been issue in the Ogies policing precinct for quite some time.
Mdhluli said the four were arrested last week and they will in the Ogies Magistrate’s Court.
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“Among the arrested suspects, two were charged for possession of suspected stolen property after being reportedly being found with chrome ore and chrome. The vehicles used as transport were confiscated for further investigation.
“One of the suspects was arrested for general theft after being found by security guards, loading chrome ore onto a bakkie. The ore and the bakkie were also seized as part of the investigation. Another suspect was caught by members assigned to Operation Vala Umgodi. The members found him operating an excavator, busy digging a shaft, which convinced the law enforcers that the man was somehow involved in illegal mining activities, hence he was apprehended,” he said.
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In another incident, the local police received a call on March 25 around 17:00 regarding a mob who had gone on a rampage and were offloading chrome ore from a train. Members responded accordingly and on arrival, people were busy looting. When they noticed the law enforcement officers they fled the scene.
“They left behind 111 bags filled with chrome ore which were confiscated by the police for further investigation,” explained Mdhuli.
