Police recover military explosives and equipment in Benoni

The South African Police Service’ (SAPS) Head Office Organised Crime Investigations Unit have recovered military explosive devices and equipment in Benoni, Gauteng, on Thursday.

According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the members were following up on information that the explosives were allegedly going to be delivered to illegal miners on Snake road in Benoni.

“The team immediately operationalised the information and descended on the scene, where they found a box with seven hand grenades, one CS smoke generator, a military shot exploder, a military tester and eighteen military switches,” said Brigadier Mathe.

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Members of the Germiston Bomb Disposal Unit were deployed to the scene to recover the explosive devices.

“To ensure the safety and security of the surrounding communities, one of the hand grenades which was found to be unstable was destroyed on the spot (IN SITO) to prevent any injuries and damage to property.”

A multidisciplinary team has been dispatched to monitor the area to effect possible arrests. An enquiry has also been registered to determine the origin of the explosive devices and equipment,” said Mathe.

The police have called on anyone with information to call the crime stop hotline number on 0860010111.

ATM bombed, cash robbed

In a separate incident, police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in a robbery incident that occurred at a fuel station at Embalenhle in the early hours of Thursday morning.

It is alleged that a group of armed suspects detonated some explosives which damaged an ATM machine and suspects made off with an undisclosed amount of cash which they took from the said machine, said Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

“According to the report, a group of about four armed suspects wearing masks and hand gloves are said to have stormed into the fuel station where they held the staff at gunpoint. It is then that they (suspects) went for the ATM machine and carried out their mission. Law enforcement agencies were activated via a panic button and the security guards responded accordingly.

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“Prior to the suspects fleeing with the cash, they noticed the security officials arriving and reportedly fired some shots towards the guards who had responded. One of the shots reportedly hit the guards’ response vehicle, leaving it with a bullet hole but fortunately no injuries were reported.”

A case of robbery with an additional charge of ATM Bombing was opened.

Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde