Explosives Worth Over R600,000 Seized at Beitbridge Border Crossing, Zimbabwean Arrested
A routine border crossing at the Beitbridge Port of Entry took a dramatic twist when Limpopo police arrested a 48-year-old Zimbabwean man for the unlawful possession of explosives valued at over R600,000.
On Tuesday, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, intercepted the suspect’s trailer truck traveling from Zimbabwe to South Africa. Upon stopping the vehicle, the police requested the driver to open the trailer for inspection. However, the driver claimed he did not have the keys to the trailer. With no further delay, officers forcibly opened the trailer, setting the stage for a startling discovery.
A Dangerous Find
Inside the trailer, police discovered bags containing what appeared to be explosives. The Hawks immediately alerted the Musina-based Bomb Technicians, the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, and the Local Criminal Record Central for further examination. Upon their arrival, the units conducted a thorough second search, uncovering a shocking array of explosives.
Authorities found 16 reels of detonating fuse explosives, 2,182 superpowers, and 90 blasting cartridges — a dangerous haul that could have had disastrous consequences if it had made it across the border undetected.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and is set to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
A Victory in the Fight Against Transnational Crime
Limpopo Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Gopz Govender, praised the coordinated efforts of the police, calling the arrest a significant victory in the battle against transnational criminal activity.
“This arrest shows that law enforcement agencies are making significant strides in the fight against cross-border crime,” said Govender.
In a related incident in February, a South African man was arrested at the Mananga Border Gate near Eswatini after attempting to enter the country with 12 blasting explosives, often used in mining and construction due to their high detonation power.
The Beitbridge arrest serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by smuggling operations and the need for vigilant border security.
