LIMPOPO – Two men (aged 35 and 40) were caught in possession of explosives componenets meant for ATM robberies and were sentenced to 24 years each for illegally dealing in explosives.
The duo appeared before the Burgersfort Regional Court today.
Trevor Vhonani Mathava (35) and William Kwebityala Majwede (40) were arrested in February 2014 during a sting operation, said Hawks Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Maluleke.
“The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit received information about people who were selling explosives in the platinum rich Burgersfort area. Several explosive components including shock tube assemblies, detonators and explosive gels were seized during the operation. The explosives were meant for criminal gangs to blast the ATMs and cash in transit vehicles,” said Maluleke.
The accused were out on R5000 bail each during their trial.
The Hawks management has welcomed the conviction of Mathavha and Majwede and it is hoped that the sentences will send a strong message that those who are involved in the illegal supply of explosives will go to jail for a very long time, Maluleke concluded.
