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Chronicle Reporters—
SOUTH African police have arrested 14 Zimbabweans who were found with explosives worth about $350,000 destined for the neighbouring country. The Zimbabweans were arrested 10km east of Beitbridge on Wednesday after they illegally crossed the Limpopo River into South Africa.They are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court today.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the arrest to our Beitbridge Bureau but could not be drawn to comment further.
However, South African media quoted him as as saying: “Undocumented suspects were found in possession of 100 detonators and cartridges worth over R350, 000 in their bags”.
Brig Mulaudzi also revealed to our Beitbridge Bureau that in a separate case of possessing explosives, a Musina magistrate spared Sibonginkosi Mhlakanipiswa, 41, from Bulawayo a custodial sentence in preference for a R20, 000 fine for smuggling 80 detonators into that country through Beitbridge.
He said Mhlakanipiswa was fined R20,000 and risks imprisonment for two years if she fails to pay the fine.
Brig Mulaudzi said Mhlakanipiswa was convicted on her own plea of guilty to charges of unauthorised importation, supply and or possession of an explosive.
Brig Mulaudzi said the woman was arrested at the border post on June 5.
“The suspect who was travelling on foot was spotted by one of the alert police officers at the border post while carrying a suspicious white plastic bag. She was then stopped and taken to the community service centre within the border post where a search was conducted leading to the discovery of 40 detonators, which were wrapped in a red dress,” he said.
The police chief said further body searches led to the discovery of 40 more detonators which were wrapped around her body. Brig Mulaudzi said the suspect was subsequently arrested.
“We are worried about the recurrence of such cases where people try to smuggle these explosives into the Republic. We suspect these are used for illegal mining activities and ATM bombings,” he said.
Brig Mulaudzi said police had intensified patrols and searches on travellers in view of the rampant cases of smuggling.
Online Reporter