SOUTH African authorities have arrested two Zimbabwean women for illegally possessing mining explosives, case fuses cartridges and emulsion blasting with an estimated street value of over R1.2 million.
Reports are that the explosives were smuggled into South Africa.
The two women aged 27 and 41 were arrested by the Limpopo Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team for unlawful possession of explosives and contravention of the Immigration Act in Thohoyandou on February 12.
“The team received a tip-off about two women from Zimbabwe who were in possession of explosives destined for Gauteng. The two people matching the description of the suspects were spotted in one of the lodges in Thohoyandou and their movements were constantly monitored,” said South Africa Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke.
“The suspects were arrested as they were about to board a bus to Gauteng and the illegal explosives were then recovered from them.”
The pair who had allegedly entered South Africa illegally, are set to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court soon.
