3 jailed for smuggling explosives into South Africa

THREE Zimbabwean men have been jailed for a combined 51 years for smuggling explosives worth thousands of rand into neighbouring South Africa and violating that country’s immigration laws.

Dube Siyabonga Sibusiso (25), Chuma Temba (38) and Thabo Mokuele (36) were convicted and sentenced on charges of unlawful possession of explosives and contravention of the Immigration Act by the Musina Regional Court for a crime they committed in 2022.

They were taken to court for trial after they were busted by South Africa’s specialised crime police, the Hawks. Limpopo spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, confirmed the sentence on Friday.

“This case was given necessary attention until the accused were convicted and sentenced as follows: Accused 1: Dube Siyabonga Sibusiso, was sentenced for Contravention of Explosive Act 26 of 1956 (Unlawful possession of Explosives) — 15 years imprisonment, and Contravention of Immigration Act — 2 years imprisonment,” he said.

“Chuma Themba and Mokuele Thabo were also slapped with the same sentences of 15 years imprisonment and Contravention of Explosive Act 26 of 1956 (Unlawful possession of Explosives) and Contravention of Immigration Act — 2 years imprisonment. This means they were sent to prison for a combined 51 years.

“During the month of September 2022, an off duty police Sergeant attached to the Beitbridge Port of Entry saw two men carrying a plastic bag. He suspected that the accused might be carrying illegal items. He stopped them, identified himself and searched them.”

Warrant Officer Mmuroa said the two men were then searched leading to the discovery of 50× Units of connector capped fuse, 2× Reels of detonating fuse, and 11× Pieces 17 meters of detonating fuse.

Both accused persons were arrested for unlawful possession of explosives. The Musina-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI), Musina-based Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and Musina based Explosive Section were summoned to the crime scene.

“During the interview, the police revealed that the accused are Zimbabwean nationals and they had no valid travel documents for them to be in South Africa. They then revealed that the bags and explosives belonged to Mokuele Thabo,” said Warrant Officer Mmuroa.

“It was established that Dube and Chuma had illegally crossed the border through a railway line to Limpopo Truck Park and Mokuele was traced and arrested at Limpopo Truck Park. The Hawks investigation revealed that the explosives belonged to the three accused.

“A case docket of possession of explosives was opened and registered at Musina SAPS. The accused were arrested and the explosives were seized. The Hawks were then entrusted with the investigation of the case.”

The smuggling of explosives is common between Zimbabwe and South Africa and in most cases these are being used for illegal mining activities in the Free State and Gauteng Provinces.