Nelspruit – The South African Police Service (SAPS) from Middelburg Flying Squad arrested a 38-year-old male suspect on Thursday afternoon, 30 November 2023, for illegal possession of chrome valued at more than R200,000. The arrest in Nelspruit followed a tip-off about a suspicious individual driving a truck with a dubious cargo.

According to South African Police Service, acting on the information, SAPS members identified and intercepted the described truck. Upon inspection, they found a bag containing approximately 12,700 kilograms of chrome, estimated at R209,550. Despite the driver’s attempt to evade arrest, SAPS members successfully apprehended him. He is now charged and scheduled to appear at the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 04 December 2023.

As the investigation progresses, the possibility of additional charges against the suspect remains open. Investigators are working tirelessly to uncover further details of the case.

Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, praised the public for their crucial tip-off and lauded the police for their prompt and effective response, which led to the successful arrest.