Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
South African border authorities have arrested another immigrant (48) for smuggling from Zimbabwe, a contraband of explosives worth at least R600, 000 through the Beitbridge Port of Entry (PoE) on Monday.
The nationality of the suspect is yet to be revealed.
The Beitbridge border post provides a link to South Africa by road to Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, DRC, Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
In a statement, the specialised police, the Hawks, said the man was stopped by the police while driving a horse and trailers truck that was travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa at the PoE weigh bridge.
“They asked a driver to open a trailer so that the search can be conducted. The driver informed the police that he did not have keys for the trailers. Police forcibly opened the trailer. The search was conducted and they found bags containing items suspected to be explosives,” said the Hawks.
“Police then summoned the Musina based Bomb Technicians, Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Local Criminal Record Central to the scene for assistance. Upon the arrival of the above-mentioned units, the truck was thoroughly searched.
As a result, the team found 16 reels of detonating fuse explosives and 2182 Superpower 90 blasting cartridge explosives. The suspect was arrested. He is expected to make his first court appearance in the Musina Magistrate soon”.
Last Thursday, the Hawks arrested a 55-year-old Zimbabwean truck driver with a contraband of drugs worth an estimated R7 million, which he was transporting through the same border.
