Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Two Zimbabwean men have each been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison for illegal possession of explosives in South Africa.
Fanie Chirara (54) and Emerson Ruzvidzo (26) were convicted separately on charges of illegal possession of explosives when they appeared before the Musina Regional Court on Monday.
The cases, investigated by South Africa’s specialised police unit, the Hawks, resulted in 15 years’ direct imprisonment for each accused.
Hawks spokesperson for Limpopo province, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, said Chirara was arrested at Beitbridge Port of Entry on 17 January this year.
“On the day of arrest, police stopped and searched a bus travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa. During the search, police found a luggage bag on top of the fuel tank. Upon thorough inspection, they noticed the bag contained explosives,” he said.
“They then summoned Musina-based Bomb Technicians, Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, and Local Criminal Record Central to the scene.
The luggage was removed from the bus and inside were three reels of detonating fuse, each 350 meters long, valued at over R105 000, along with a passport.
“The police identified the suspect through his passport and arrested him. The Musina-based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit was tasked with investigating the case.”
Warrant Officer Mmuroa said Ruzvidzo was arrested on 15 May during a routine security search when police recovered 2,505 white cartridge tubes and 106 yellow explosive cords inside a trailer.
“The recovered explosives were analysed and valued at over R330 000 and the man was immediately arrested.”
The police seized the explosives, a Toyota Quantum, and a trailer in the possession of the accused.
“The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit (SOCIU), based in Musina, conducted further investigations which led to the conviction and sentencing of the accused,” added Warrant Officer Mmuroa.
“The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender, has praised the investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Tshivhase for an excellent job done.”
The smuggling of explosives between South Africa and Zimbabwe is rife, occurring both through official border posts and surrounding areas.
According to South African authorities, these explosives are primarily used in illegal mining activities in Free State and Gauteng provinces, as well as in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and Cash-in-Transit (CIT) bombings by criminals.
A few days ago, former Member of Parliament and opposition figure Job Sikhala and his uncle Alexander Thema (78) were arrested in Gauteng province in possession of explosives loaded in their Ford Fiesta.
They were arrested on 6 November between Pretoria and Johannesburg and granted R10 000 bail each pending trial by the Pretoria Magistrate Court.
The pair face charges of possession of explosives and were remanded until 3 February next year.
