A mortar (explosive used for hundreds of years in wars) was found on Gun Hill on a farm just outside Ladysmith on Sunday (January 5).
The mortar was found by farm workers, who picked it up it and took it into their home.
Not knowing what it was, they contacted farm owner Owen Geekie and showed him a picture of it.
He immediately told them it was a dangerous weapon and they must stay clear of it.
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Owen contacted another farmer, who called police to come and investigate.
Police and a member of 5SAI went out to the scene, where it was established that the mortar was on stage 3, which means it was fired but did not detonate when it landed. This meant it could go off at any time!
On Monday (January 6), the SAPS bomb squad safely detonated the mortar on the farm.
For the full story, see next week’s edition of the Ladysmith Gazette.
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