Zim truck driver arrested for illegally transporti...

Zim truck driver arrested for illegally transporting chrome

Zim Now Writer

South African police have arrested a 37-year-old Zimbabwean truck driver for illegally transporting chrome worth R650 000 in Limpopo Province.

Brighton Mutandani was arrested last Thursday by the Hawks during a crackdown on illegal mining activities in the province and has since appeared in the Praktiseer Regional Court on charges of allegedly transporting chrome without a permit and contravening the Immigration Act.

Hawks' spokesperson for Limpopo, Captain Matimba Maluleke said: “As the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation continues to fight the scourge of illegal mining in the province, a sting joint operation between the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Crime Intelligence was conducted last week. During the operation, a suspicious tipper truck was spotted driving in the area and it was stopped and searched,” he said.

“The truck was found fully loaded with chrome that the driver failed to produce a permit for and he was immediately arrested. Further investigations revealed that the driver did not have legal documents allowing him to be in the country,” said Capt Maluleke, adding that the chrome and the truck were seized.

Mutandani was remanded in custody to Friday for bail application.

Hawks provincial head for Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender said: “We look forward to conducting more operations to deal with the illegal mining problem and our presence will be felt.”

South African police recently tightened screws on illegal miners following the death of eight panners, including four Zimbabweans, three Mozambican and a South African in the Burgersfort area in Limpopo Province.

The illegal miners died after suffocating when the mine shaft filled up with rainy water resulting in the walls collapsing.

Police have since opened an inquest following the tragic incident. The mishap occurred in the Ga-Moroga Village where the suspected illegal miners had been digging chrome before the walls of the shaft gave in during heavy rains.

This incident comes as police in South Africa continue to tighten screws on illegal mining activities in the country while their Zimbabwean counterparts are also trying to bust smuggling syndicates who ship minerals, including chrome ore, through the Beitbridge border.

This also comes as exports of chrome ore have been banned in Zimbabwe, in a move that is aimed at ensuring beneficiation.