Springs man arrested after tenant finds explosives in garden

The police have arrested a man living on Botha Street in Geduld, Springs, for possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, explosives, and SAPS uniforms.

The arrest follows a tenant’s discovery of military explosives and ammunition hidden under a compost heap while working in the garden yesterday morning.

According to Springs SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Themba Tshabalala, the tenant was digging up the compost heap at the back of the garden when the homeowner allegedly instructed him not to dig at a specific spot, as explosives were buried there.

“After the owner had left for Mpumalanga on business, the tenant returned to the spot he was told not to dig,” adds Tshabalala.

“While digging, he found a missile-shaped object, later identified as a mortar.”

Tshabalala says the tenant covered the heap and went to the police station to report his discovery.

The Springs Crime Prevention Unit, led by Captains Mervin Kasaven and Wynand du Toit, investigated the house.

Police found two mortars, three CS rounds (tear gas), six .22 rounds, 18 .223 rounds, three R5 magazines, 12 9mm rounds, three AK-47 rounds, a shotgun round, 36 Special Task Force camouflage pants, a SAPS jacket, a bunny jacket, two ceremonial pants, and a tunic.

Officers also found a .22 revolver, which did not belong to the homeowner.

Tshabalala says there were allegedly more explosives buried in the garden, and that the SAPS Explosive Unit had to wait for the owner’s return from Mpumalanga before they could determine if further explosives were hidden on the premises.

It is at this stage unclear if more explosives were found, but the crime scene remains cordoned off pending further instruction from the Explosive Unit.