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A truck driver is expected to appear in the Empangeni Magistrates Court on Friday after stolen Zircon and Chloride minerals worth R15.5 million were found in his possession.
Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says a Task Team had been deployed to the Richards Bay area for some time to prevent and combat the theft of minerals as well as the assassination of mining executives.
She says information was followed up and the 44-year-old driver's truck was found abandoned in the Kwabonambi area.
Brigadier Mathe says further investigations led the team to an address in Durban where the minerals, belonging to Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) were discovered.
She says a case of theft of minerals is under investigation.
Task Team Established
In 2016, RBM manager Ronnie Nzimande, who was involved in investigating charges against senior staff was ambushed and killed by suspects, also armed with semi-automatic weapons.
In July 2020, 48-year-old Judia Mbuyazi who was also linked to RBM, was gunned down at a mall in Richards Bay
On 4 May 2021, the General Manager of RBM, Nico Swart, died when he was ambushed while driving to work, as 20 high-calibre bullets were fired at his vehicle.
A month after Swart's murder, police established a specialised Task Team
Success
Brigadier Mathe says since the task team was established, 43 suspects have been arrested for charges ranging from murder, theft, trespassing, possession of suspected stolen property, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition as well as fraud and intimidation.
She says 68 dockets are currently under investigation of which 47 are already before various courts.
The Task Team also confiscated 202 firearms in the last three years, including rifles, handguns and shotguns.
