Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
A Zimbabwean truck driver, Edward Chikukwa (48) has been jailed for an effective 15 years for unlawful possession of explosives by the Musina Regional Court in the Limpopo Province in South Africa.
Chikukwa was arrested on March 11 2025, as Zimbabwean and South African security authorities fight crime along the two countries’ border.
South African police stopped him while he was driving a horse towing two trailers at the Beitbridge Port of Entry (PoE) weighbridge.
SA’s specialised police unit Hawks spokesperson for Limpopo, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, confirmed Chikukwa’s arrest and his subsequent imprisonment on Wednesday.
He said upon searching the trailer, they discovered bags containing 16 reels of detonating fuse explosives, 2 182 Superpower 90 blasting cartridge explosives valued at over R600 000.
“Chikukwa was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of explosives. The Musina-based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team investigated the case, and the accused was kept in police custody until his conviction and sentencing on October
13 2025,” said Warrant Officer Mmuroa.
Hawks provincial commander for Limpopo, Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender, commended the investigating team for a thorough job.
“This is a clear indication that law enforcement is winning the fight against transnational criminals,” he said.
The smuggling of explosives between Zimbabwe and South Africa is rife. Indications are that the explosives are destined for illegal mining activities in the Free State, Guateng and Limpopo provinces.
