Stolen construction machinery worth about R50-million, recovered at a quarry in Newark, north of KwaDukuza, has led to the arrest of a 63-year-old man in Ekombe.

The arrest, made on Sunday, follows months of investigation into the theft of heavy-duty equipment originally reported in Nkandla in December last year.

Police said a major breakthrough in the case came on February 17, when members of the Provincial Reaction Unit and Empangeni Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit conducted an operation at the quarry. Two excavators and a TLB were recovered at the site.

At the time, the suspect was not located and remained at large.

The investigation intensified over the weekend when additional charges were opened at Ekombe Police Station, including extortion, theft of a motor vehicle and the unlawful use of property. It is alleged the suspect demanded money from the complainant.

Members of the Empangeni Public Order Police traced the man to Ekombe.

A truck believed to be linked to the case was also recovered.

Police confirmed the man faces multiple charges, including theft, extortion, possession of suspected stolen property and the unlawful use of property.

He appeared in the Nkandla Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.