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Mpumalanga police arrested a total of 15 people for allegedly stealing chrome.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said the first arrests were made in Bethal on Wednesday.
This was after two suspects were caught in the act by officers from a private security company stealing chrome from a train.
He said seven more were cornered, and also arrested and 14 bags loaded with chrome were seized.
“The first two were arrested at the railway line where they allegedly offloaded the chrome from the train. The other seven suspects seem to have been waiting for their accomplices in the Toyota Corolla that was possibly going to be used to transport the alleged stolen chrome,” he said.
Mdhluli said the suspects could not provide any permit to possess such materials and as a result, they were charged for unlawful possession of precious metals while their vehicle was also seized.
Police cannot rule out possibilities of adding more charges, including theft as the investigation continues.
He said an additional nine suspects were arrested following the first round of arrests.
Mdhluli said all the suspects appeared at Ermelo Magistrate's Court on Friday and are due to make another court appearance this week.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major-General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi welcomed arrest and commended partnership between police and other enforcement agencies.
