A dedicated task team deployed to the Richards Bay area Wednesday discovered stolen minerals in a Johannesburg storehouse worth R15 million.
National Police Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says the Zircon and Chloride minerals were mined from Richards Bay and diverted from the harbour where it was repackaged to be sold to international buyers.
She says it is alleged that this syndicate would transport fake minerals to the harbour and divert original minerals to Johannesburg.
Brigadier Mathe says the dedicated task team was set up to investigate assassinations of executives in the area of Richards Bay and to dismantle the syndicate behind the looting of minerals.
She says in March the team also found minerals in a Durban warehouse which led to the arrest of the owner of the premises as well as a truck driver.
The task team has so far seized 202 unlicensed firearms, arrested 43 suspects and is currently investigating 68 dockets.
