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Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
South African police have arrested 14 Zimbabwean men for smuggling explosives worth R350 000 into that country through an illegal entry point along the Limpopo River.
Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the suspects, who had entered that country illegally, were arrested on Wednesday afternoon some 10 kilometres east of the border post.
He said the suspects, aged between 18 and 42, were picked up by police on a joint patrol with members of the South African defence forces.
“The information we have so far is that the suspects, all of them undocumented, were found in possession of 100 detonators and cartridges worth over R350 000 in their bags,” said Brig Mulaudzi. “Investigations are still in progress and they will appear in court on Friday.
“They have been charged with unauthorised importation, supply and or possession of an explosive.”
Brig Mulaudzi said police had intensified patrols and searches on travellers in light of an increase in cases of smuggling.
“We are worried about the recurrence of such cases where people try to smuggle these explosives into the country,” he said.
“We suspect these are used for illegal mining activities and ATM bombings.”
Online Reporter