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Crime Reporter
A man has been arrested in Chakari, Mashonaland West after he was found in possession of 177,75kg of explosives which police suspect could have been for committing crime.
The arrest of Milton Bhiza comes at a time when police have received numerous reports of criminals using explosives to blow up safes during robberies.
Bhiza was arrested last week following a tip off from the public and is still assisting with investigations. He was also found in possession of 334 fuses.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest.
“The suspect was arrested after we received information and the explosives were being kept at a house in Chakari,” he said.
“We strongly believe that these explosives were to be used for illegal activities such as using them to blow open safes, among other activities.”
He warned criminals who were in possession of explosives that the long arm of the law would soon catch up with them.
Last week, police expressed concern over cases in which criminals are using explosives to blow open safes at their targets such as companies, service stations and supermarkets countrywide.
Several companies, shops and individuals countrywide have lost thousands of dollars and other valuables kept in safes to armed robbers.
Police said these cases needed to be halted.
Police are also investigating the case in which armed robbers raided Spar Supermarket at Marimba Shopping Centre in Harare recently.
They got away with over US$30 000 after blowing a safe off the wall.
The incident occurred at around 3am and no arrests have been made so far. Police have been discouraging people, including business owners, from keeping large sums of money in their homes and premises as they could fall prey to criminals.
Last month, a Zimbabwean woman Elitha Sibanda who was recently arrested with explosives at Beitbridge border post on the South African side, appeared at the Musina magistrates’ court on charges of unauthorised importation, supply or possession of explosives or incendiary devices.
In May, criminals stole US$4 612 cash after raiding Chinyaradza School in Zaka.
Penhalonga Post Office lost US$280 cash and airtime worth over US$3 000 to robbers who blew open a safe early this year.
Other cases were recorded in Bulawayo, Harare and the surrounding areas where safes were blown open.
Online Reporter