A 44-year-old truck driver has appeared briefly in the Empangeni Magistrates Court where he is facing charges related to the theft of minerals from Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).
SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said police had arrested the driver last week when he was found in possession of stolen zircon and chloride valued at R15.5 million rand.
“An SAPS task team that has been deployed to the Richards Bay area to prevent and combat theft of minerals as well as the assassination of mining executives was following up on information of a truck loaded with stolen minerals,” said Mathe.
“The abandoned truck was recovered in the KwaMbonambi area. Further investigation led the team to an address in Durban where the minerals were found. It was later discovered that the minerals had been stolen from Richards Bay Minerals,” said Mathe.
“A case of theft of minerals is under investigation.”
Mathe said the matter was postponed to 9 April when the suspect is expected to apply for bail in the KwaMbonambi Magistrates Court.
Meanwhile, since the deployment of the task team, police have arrested 43 suspects on charges ranging from murder, theft, trespassing, possession of suspected stolen property, unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition, fraud and intimidation. A total of 68 dockets are currently under investigation, and 47 cases are before the courts.
Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, and SAPS National Commissioner General, Fannie Masemola, met with the business community two weeks ago when all stakeholders committed to strengthening their working relationship to prevent and combat crime in the mining sector.
