Welkom – A woman and her three male accomplices will appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court in the Free State on Friday, (23 February 2024), on charges relating to breaching the Explosives Act.
The suspects are accused of unlawfully selling explosives to cash-in-transit robbers, ATM bombers, and illegal miners.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said on Thursday that the syndicate comprising three men and a woman were arrested in Welkom, in the Free State.
The suspects were arrested Wednesday afternoon due to a “tracing operation” involving several SA Police Service units including the EC Crime Intelligence unit, the National Intervention Unit from Pretoria, and the Free State Explosives section.
Brigadier Mathe said the suspects were also being probed for their possible involvement in explosives-related cases in the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, and Gauteng.
The suspects were found with 40 explosives and explosives accessories.
Brigadier Mathe said through “Operation Shanela” the police have seized 11 481 explosives during roadblocks, tracing, and stop-and-search operations since May 2023.
At least 173 suspects have also been arrested during the same period for the illegal possession of explosives.
Brigadier Mathe said the four suspects arrested this week were expected to appear before the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Friday for contravening the Explosives Act 26 of 1956.
