The suspects were found in possession of prohibited explosives and failed to produce valid documentation to be in the country legally hence they were charged for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa.
Their arrests emanated after members were conducting their routine vehicle checks. The astute members stopped and searched a vehicle with three occupants along the R38 Road in Barberton.
Upon searching the vehicle, they recovered explosives, four Superpower 90 blasting cartridges, capped fuse, and 9 metres detonating cord, suspected to be used in the commission of illegal mining activities. Two of the arrested suspects are foreign nationals and they were charged for possession of prohibited explosives, and their vehicle was seized.
As members continued with their duties, they came across the other three suspects who failed to produce proper documents for being in the country.
These suspects were apprehended and detained, and they are expected to appear at the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 12 February 2025.
Meanwhile the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi has emphasized that the men and women in Blue will proceed with Operation Vala Umgodi and this operation will continue for a while until the illegal mining activities are halted.