Foreign national arrested in possession of explosives in Pienaar

The police believed that the suspect is linked to a string of drop-in safes and ATM bombings, and unlawful trading with explosives in the province.

A 36-year-old Mozambican national was arrested in Pienaar today, August 9 at 01:30, for being in possession of explosives.

A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the Mpumalanga SAPS’s Crime Intelligent Unit managed to gather information, and acted on it with a tactical response team, the Pienaar Visible Policing, and some detectives.

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“The information led the police to the suspect’s rented room in Lihawu in Pienaar, where he was found with a number of explosives. We believe he is linked to a string of drop-in safes and ATM bombings, and unlawful trading with explosives in the province,” he said.

The suspect was found with 58 explosives, seven explosive wires, and one plastic bag containing soundless stone cracking powder.

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He is expected to appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday August 10, for unlawful possession of explosives. Mohlala said the police cannot rule out the possibility of adding other charges pending more investigations.