A truck carrying explosives worth nearly R800,000 was intercepted at the Beitbridge Port of Entry near Musina on Friday, 10 April.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said a 42-year-old truck driver was arrested after allegedly attempting to enter South Africa from Zimbabwe with a concealed load of explosives.
The operation involved a multidisciplinary team from the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and Musina police. Officials stopped the truck during a coordinated operation at the border.
Police said the driver allegedly tried to evade arrest but was quickly apprehended.
A search of the truck uncovered 3,970 blasting cartridge tubes, 48 Cammex connector capsules and 10 reels of detonator fuse hidden inside the vehicle.
The explosives are estimated to be worth about R769,000. The truck used to transport them, valued at around R2 million, was also seized.
The Musina Local Criminal Record Centre and the Explosives Unit were called to the scene to process and secure the evidence.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing a charge of possession of explosives.
Acting Limpopo Hawks head Brigadier Lesibana Meshack Malapile said the arrest sends a strong message to criminals.
“This is not just an arrest but a warning. Criminals must understand that our borders are not open doors for danger. What was intercepted here could have destroyed lives, families and communities,” he said.