Police recover 35 tons of stolen cobalt hydroxide worth R6,5 million

By Samantha Allen

Published: March 4, 2022 | 5:45 PM GMT

The police in KwaZulu-Natal recovered nearly 35 tons worth of cobalt hydroxide from a warehouse in Quality Street in Jacobs, Durban.

COBALT HYDROXIDE FOUND IN DURBAN

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the operation was led by officers from the Provincial Investigation Unit.

“The team was following up on bags of cobalt hydroxide that were stolen in Gauteng. Police pounced on the premises to execute a search warrant,” said Gwala.

In the warehouse, the police found hidden 48 bags of cobalt hydroxide that weighed 736 kilograms each.

Gwala said the bags were stolen from a warehouse in Prelude Avenue, Gauteng. The police recovered the goods just in time because it was due to be shipped overseas on Saturday, 5 March.

“The recovered bags which are valued at R6,5 million was positively identified by the lawful owner,” said the police spokesperson.

The owner alleges that the bags were stolen from the Gauteng warehouse on 6 January 2022 and transported to Durban at the end of that month. The theft was reported to a Gauteng police station.

Cobalt hydroxide is a powdery green substance that is used as a drying agent in paints, varnishes and ink; it is also used as a catalyst when making battery electrodes.

“Police are still searching for the suspects,” said Gwala.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.