R2 Million Truck, R300,000 Chrome: Limpopo Police Halt Illegal Mineral Operation

Police in Limpopo have seized a white Sitrak truck valued at approximately R2 million after it was allegedly found transporting chrome worth R300,000 without legal documentation along the R518 in Lebowakgomo.

A 52-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, 21 February 2026, around 10 am, following an operation by members of the Lebowakgomo Crime Prevention Unit.

How It Unfolded

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said members received credible information about a horse-and-trailer truck allegedly transporting precious minerals within the Lebowakgomo policing precinct.

“The vehicle was stopped and searched. Police discovered that the truck and its two trailers were fully loaded with chrome. When requested to provide legal documentation authorising the possession and transportation of the chrome, the driver failed to do so.”

The driver allegedly indicated that the chrome had been loaded from an illegal mining site at Atok Village.

What Was Seized

• White Sitrak truck with two blue trailers – estimated value R2 million

• Chrome cargo – estimated value R300,000

Both the mineral and the vehicle were confiscated.

Court Appearance

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

The Bigger Picture

Illegal mining and mineral trafficking continue to plague Limpopo, costing the economy billions in lost revenue and fuelling organised crime. The seizure of a high-value truck highlights the scale of the operationthis was not a small-time smuggler, but a sophisticated attempt to move significant quantities of precious minerals.

For the police, it’s a significant bust. For the community, it’s a reminder that illegal mining remains a persistent threat. And for the suspect, it’s the beginning of a legal process that could see him lose not just the chrome, but the R2 million truck that carried it.

{Source: IOL}

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