Five men caught with stockpile of illegal explosives remanded in custody
The men were stopped and their vehicle searched after they were spotted travelling at high speed along the barrier line on the R101.
LIMPOPO – Five men who were arrested for possession of explosives a fortnight ago were remanded in custody until 12 April for formal bail application.
The accused, George Phosa (38), Jabu Masango (39), James Materula (41), Alpheus Mapea (45) and Isaac Mothubi (47) face charges of possession of explosives and possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle and appeared in the appeared in the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on 19 March.
All five men were arrested on 10 March by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Highway Patrol unit. This after their vehicle was stopped on the R101 after they were caught speeding along the barrier line.
“The members searched the vehicle and found a black plastic bag containing 97 different categories of explosives and a battery. All five occupants were arrested after they could not provide valid documentation for the vehicle or the explosives.23
12 March
LIMPOPO – Five men found to be transporting a stockpile of explosives, appeared in court today.
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Highway Patrol unit arrested the men on the R101 near Mokopane on the morning of 10 March.
“The team was patrolling the R101 when they stopped a Toyota Quantum minibus, with five occupants, which was travelling at a high speed along the barrier line. The members searched the vehicle and found a black plastic bag containing 97 different categories of explosives and a battery,” explained Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
Ngoepe added that the men could not provide valid documentation for these explosives, and the the police arrested all five men, aged between 38 and 47, on the spot. Further investigation revealed that the minibus was stolen.
“The vehicle was reported stolen at Kempton Park in Gauteng during February,” he said.
The men faces charges of possession of explosives and suspected stolen motor vehicle and appear in the Mokpane Magistrate’s Court today and their case was postponed to 19 March for bail application and for further police investigations. All suspects were denied bail.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba applauded the police for their swift reaction in arresting the suspects and recovering illegal explosives.
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