Johannesburg – A police task team has recovered stolen minerals worth millions of rand at a warehouse in Johannesburg.
“The task team traced Zircon and Chloride minerals worth R15 million at a warehouse in Johannesburg,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, on Saturday.
The minerals, mined from Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in KwaZulu-Natal, were diverted from the Richards Bay Harbour and stored at a warehouse, where they were repackaged to be sold to international buyers.
Brigadier Mathe said the SA Police Service (SAPS) task team deployed to the Richards Bay area to prevent, combat, and put a stop to the theft of minerals continues to dismantle the syndicate behind the looting.
“It is alleged that this syndicate would transport fake minerals to the harbour and divert the original minerals to JHB,” Brigadier Mathe said.
“On Wednesday, (24 April 2024), the team pounced on the warehouse and during a thorough search of the premises found the minerals worth millions.”
Police have registered a case of theft and a search was underway for the owner of the warehouse.
Brigadier Mathe said this was the second recovery of minerals worth millions for the team.
In March 2024, the team also recovered stolen minerals at a Durban warehouse.
The driver of the truck and the owner of the warehouse have since been arrested.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has applauded the work of the task team.
“The team is also investigating the assassination of executives in the area,” said General Masemola.
“So far, 202 unlicensed firearms have been seized, 43 suspects have been arrested and 68 dockets are currently under investigation.
“Our intelligence remains on the ground to put a stop to these illegal activities in the mining sector.”
