A 42-YEAR-OLD Beitbridge man was yesterday fined US$375 after he was arrested for illegal possession of 33 tonnes of chrome ore.
Prince Kwenda, who appeared at the Beitbridge Magistrates Court, was charged with Contravening the Mines and Minerals Act by removing chrome ore without declaring it with the mining commissioner.
Kwenda pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a fine of US$375 or a two-month jail term.
The chrome ore was forfeited to the State.
According to court papers, on July 20, the accused person was intercepted by the police in Beitbridge while driving a truck loaded with 33 tonnes of chrome concentrate.
Police asked him to produce a permit granting him the authority to transport or remove the ore and he failed to produce one, leading to his arrest.
Meanwhile, in a similar incident, 11 gold panners aged between 18 and 24 years appeared at the Chiredzi Magistrates Court accused of illegally prospecting for chrome in Village 11, Chipimbi, Mkwasine.
They were remanded in custody to August 5 for bail hearing.
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