Polokwane – A driver and his passenger have been arrested in Nancefield, Musina, Limpopo, after police found more than a thousand “blasting cartridges” in their vehicle.
Spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said police arrested the two men on Thursday, 24 September 2026, and seized 1 312 blasting cartridges valued at approximately R131 200.
“The arrests followed information received by police about a brown Suzuki with Gauteng registration numbers suspected of transporting explosives,” Colonel Ledwaba said.
“Members of the South African Police Service traced and intercepted the vehicle at Musina at approximately 09:55.
“Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered a pink 50kg sack containing suspected explosives.”
Colonel Ledwaba said the Bomb Technician Unit and the Musina Local Criminal Record Centre were summoned to the scene.
“The explosives were examined and confirmed to be 1 312 blasting cartridges with an estimated street value of R131 200,” the police spokesperson said.
“The driver and his passenger were immediately arrested and charged with unlawful possession of explosives.”
The suspects, who are Congolese, are expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 28 September 2026.
Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, commended the members for their swift response and successful recovery of the explosives.
“Illegal possession of explosives will not be tolerated. We will continue to intensify operations to prevent these dangerous materials from falling into the wrong hands,” said Lieutenant General Scheepers.
The Musina Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) will investigate the matter further.
