The police in Mpumalanga have arrested four suspects, aged between 23 and 49, in separate incidents in Ogies in the Nkangala District. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli says theft of chrome has been issue in the Ogies policing precinct for quite some time.

Mdhluli explains the four were arrested last week and appear in the Ogies Magistrate’s Court this week.

“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 says.

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 looting. They fled the scene when they noticed the law enforcement officers.

“They left behind 111 bags filled with chrome ore which were confiscated by the police for further investigation,” explains Mdhuli.