Nelspruit: 11 May 2023- More than 80 people were distracted by police whilst looting Chrome from the goods train in Dullstroom yesterday, Wednesday 10 May 2023. Police received a tip-off from a certain chrome company called the Eastern Chrome Mine Samancor regarding a group of people who were busy looting chrome from the train between Dullstroom and Belfast railway line.
When members were approaching the scene, about 80 looters who were at the vicinity, carrying bags filled with chrome are said to have fled to different direction when they realized that police were coming. The alleged looters reportedly disappeared into the bushes. The members reportedly found some bags filled with chrome and these items were scattered as well as abandoned on the ground. At this point in time the train has since left the scene to a much safer place and no case has been opened so far.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has sent a strong warning to members of the community to refrain from such conduct which may place their lives in danger such as a situation whereby another train comes and found looters in the act. This can lead to an unnecessary catastrophe.