Two foreign nationals, aged 33 and 39, were arrested on Sunday in Mpumalanga after being found in possession of explosives during a police operation. The arrests were made by members of the Combat and Proactive Unit, who are part of Operation Vala Umgodi, a provincial initiative targeting crime and illegal activities.
According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the suspects were cornered on the R38 Road near Consort Mine in Barberton. The police had set up vehicle checkpoints as part of their operation when they noticed a black BMW 1 Series with two occupants. The vehicle was stopped, and a thorough search was conducted, which led to the discovery of explosives, jackhammers, water boots, and R10,000 in cash.
Mdhluli explained that the suspects could not provide a reasonable explanation for their possession of the items, leading to their immediate arrest. The two men are expected to appear before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to face charges related to their unlawful possession of explosives.
Further investigation revealed that one of the suspects had been out on bail at the time of his arrest, with a pending case for the illegal possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to appear in the same court on January 30, 2025, to face the firearm charge.
The arrests have been welcomed by the provincial acting police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, who commended the officers involved in the operation. Mkhwanazi emphasized the importance of their work in combating illegal mining and other illicit activities in the region, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address the growing threat posed by these crimes.
