Alleged illegal mining kingpins arrested in Burgersfort
Two emerging metals and mining company employees were arrested after they were linked to suspected stolen piles of chrome worth R20m.
LIMPOPO – The head of the Limpopo Hawks, Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender has hailed members of the Polokwane Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit for arresting two suspects believed to be kingpins behind illegal mining activities in the province.
The two men, aged 63 and 31-years-old were arrested in Burgersfort on Friday (September 13) for alleged possession of suspected property (chrome) valued at over R20m.
The provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa says the team, in collaboration with the Sekhukhune District Task Team, the South African National Defence Force, the Local Criminal Record Central and SSG Security Company, conducted a disruptive operation in Burgersfort on December 12, 2023.
This operation, he says, was aimed at addressing illegal mining activities within the Sekhukhune District.
“During operation, the team went to Triton Chrome Storage in Steelpoort, where they found a geologist in possession of piles of chrome valued at R20m inside the yard. The police requested him to produce a permit to possess chrome to that amount and he failed,” he says.
The geologist was arrested for possession of suspected stolen property (chrome).
Mmuroa says preliminary investigations established that the recovered chrome was mined illegally from various mines in the Sekhukhune District. The recovered chrome was confiscated.
“A further investigation by the Hawks revealed that the geologist is not the only accused responsible for the recovered chrome. The other two men, who held top positions at Triton Mineral Africa, were also linked,” he says.
A case docket was referred to the Director of Public Prosecution after the investigation for a decision.
Warrants to arrest the duo were issued and they are expected to appear before the Burgersfort Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (September 16).
“Illegal mining is a serious crime usually committed by organised criminals. We as the Hawks equal the task when it comes to these crimes,” Govender said.
