Two in custody over stolen chrome worth R1.4m

Two people were remanded in police custody after they appeared in court in connection with a charge related to them being in possession of stolen government property worth over R1-million.

The Pretoria North District Court denied bail to Sonwabo Malgas (38) from Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, while his co-accused Hapson Zukuyumo (35) originally from Zimbabwe abandoned his bail application, according to NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

The pair face charges of possession of stolen property and illegal mining.

Zukuyumo faced an additional charge of being in the country illegally.

It is alleged that on January 16, the two were driving two trucks from Rustenburg to Gezina when Zukuyumo’s truck got a flat tyre at the corner of the R566 and Doreen Avenue.

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Malgas reportedly stopped to help his co-accused.

“They were later approached by police who were patrolling the area,” Manhanjana said.

The police officers searched the two trucks and found chrome valued at an estimated R1.4-million in both trucks.

“The two were arrested at the scene,” she said.

Opposing the bail application, state prosecutor Tumelo Letawana said they had a strong case against both of the accused as they were found in possession of the chrome, adding that Malgas had a previous conviction.

The pair were expected back in court on March 4.

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