Foreign national arrested for possession of explosives at Beitbridge

A 48-year-old foreign national was arrested for alleged unlawful possession of explosives valued at over R600 000 at Beitbridge Port of Entry (PoE) on Tuesday.

It is alleged that police stopped a horse and trailer truck that was travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa at the PoE weigh bridge.

ALSO READ: Special bus services for Bafana Bafana match in Polokwane

They asked a driver to open a trailer so that the search could be conducted.  The driver informed the police that he does not have keys for the trailers. Police forcibly opened the trailer. The search was conducted and they found bags containing items suspected to be explosives.

Police then summoned the Musina based Bomb Technicians, Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Local Criminal Record Central to the scene for assistance.

LIMPOPO POLICE ARREST A FOREIGN NATIONAL FOUND WITH EXPLOSIVES AT BEITBRIDGE

Upon the arrival of the above mentioned units, the truck was also thoroughly searched. As a result the team found 16 reels of detonating fuse explosives and 2182 Superpower 90 blasting cartridge explosives. The suspect was arrested. He is expected to make his first court appearance in the Musina Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

Musina based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation is entrusted with the investigation of this case. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Limpopo Province Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender also commended the team.

“This is a clear indication that the law enforcement is winning a fight against transnational criminals,” said Major General Govender.