Driver Arrested for Allegedly Transporting Illegally Mined Chrome Near Lebowakgomo

Polokwane – A 52 year old man has been arrested after police allegedly found him transporting chrome believed to have been sourced from an illegal mining operation in Limpopo.

According to police, members of the Lebowakgomo Crime Prevention Unit acted on credible information on Saturday, 21 February 2026, at around 10:00, regarding a horse and trailer truck suspected of transporting precious minerals along the R518 within the Lebowakgomo policing precinct. Officers conducted a lookout patrol and soon spotted a truck matching the description travelling on the R518.

The vehicle was stopped and searched. Police discovered that the truck and its two trailers were fully loaded with chrome. When the driver was asked to provide legal documentation authorising the possession and transportation of the mineral, he allegedly failed to do so. He reportedly informed officers that the chrome had been loaded from an illegal mining site at Atok Village.

The driver was immediately arrested for illegal possession and transportation of chrome. The confiscated chrome is estimated to be worth approximately R300 000. Police also seized a white Sitrak horse and trailer truck with two blue trailers, valued at an estimated R2 million.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Lebowakgomo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 February 2026.

Police investigations are ongoing.