A early morning operation saw the arrest of a duo on suspicion of being involved in illegal mining in Burgersfort, Limpopo, on Thursday. Another person linked to the pair was arrested later in the day at the Burgersfort police station.
The first two suspects, aged 35 and 49 years, were caught in possession of chrome.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba described the operation by SAPS various units in the province as well planned and executed.
“The two suspects were spotted along the R555 road at Extension 3 industrial site in Steelpoort while driving in two tipper trucks fully loaded with chrome. As they were without proof of transporting chrome, they were arrested immediately,” Mashaba said.
Mashaba added that a third man was arrested while the operational team was busy processing the arrested suspects at the Burgersfort police station
“One African male aged 31 residing at Mashifane Park in Burgersfort confronted the team with an attempt to offer a cash amount of R8 200 in a bid to free his allies.”
Mashaba said the third suspect will face a charge of bribery and illegal immigration.
All the three suspected are expected to appear in the Burgersfort magistrate’s court soon.
