Sophisticated underground mining equipment known as Drifters, worth R2 million, was recovered during the investigation into the Ivanplats mine theft. One unit remains missing. Picture: SAPS
Security guards at a prominent Limpopo mine have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the theft of sophisticated mining equipment worth R3 million.
Two of the suspects was arrested while working their guard shifts at Ivanplats Mine.
Cladwin Matlou, 27, Ronewa Mutsinyalo, 32, and James Matlou, 36, appeared before the Mahwelereng Regional Court on Thursday, where they were remanded in custody.
The trio face charges of business burglary and possession of suspected stolen property following their arrest on Wednesday.
In a bold twist to the investigation, police arrested two of the suspects, the Matlous, while they were performing their regular duties at Ivanplats mine. The third suspect, Mutsinyalo, was arrested at his residence in Mahwelereng Zone 1 while he was off duty.
“Mutsinyalo led the police to his rental residence that was immediately searched upon arrival at Masodi village. During the search, police recovered two Drifters utilised to bore the underground mine, estimated at more than R2 million,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba.
The investigation revealed that the theft occurred on October 16, when the younger Matlou, working as a security guard, allegedly facilitated unauthorised access to the mine premises.
Five individuals, arriving in a silver Opel Corsa, managed to remove three Drifters from the site.
The three suspects will remain in custody until their next court appearance on November 20, when they are expected to apply for bail.
“Further police investigations are ongoing to locate the other two male suspects and third Drifter estimated at more than R1 million,” said Mashaba.
Police have appealed to the public for assistance in locating the remaining suspects and the missing equipment. Anyone with information is urged to report to their nearest police station.
IOL