Couple supplying explosives to heist gangs, illegal miners nabbed

A couple behind supplying explosives to cash-in-transit heist gangs and illegal miners have been arrested.

POLICE FOLLOW UP ON INFORMATION ON THE COUPLE

The Gauteng police received information on Monday about a couple allegedly selling explosives. The pair allegedly supply illegal miners, cash-in-transit gangs and ATM bombers with explosives, said police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili.

Police started to survey and observe the couple. But on Wednesday, law enforcement finally pounced.

“On Wednesday, 10 August, the team that comprised of Crime Intelligence, Bomb Disposal Unit and Ekurhuleni Metro Police intercepted the suspects vehicle, a grey Nissan Micra, in Cloverdene, Crystal Park.”

Brigadier Brenda Muridili

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COUPLE FOUND WITH HALF A MILLION RAND WORTH OF EXPLOSIVES

The two suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested in Putfontein Road. Upon searching their car, the multidisciplinary team found a plastic bag containing copper fuses, which are dangerous explosives, said Muridili.

“The team proceeded to the suspects’ residential address in Daveyton where more explosives were found. The police seized the explosives as well as the vehicle.”

The couple appeared before the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 12 August. They face charges of possession of explosives.

With the current issue of illegal mining in the province, the Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the team for the arrest of the couple and seizure of the explosives.

“This arrest has surely dealt a blow to the supply of explosives to illegal miners, CIT robbers as well as ATM bombers. These are some of the violent crimes that are committed in this province that we are working hard to stabilise,” said Mawela.

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SEVEN ILLEGAL MINERS CHARGED WITH KRUGERSDORP GANG RAPE

Meanwhile, following the gang rape of eight young women allegedly by illegal miners in Krugersdorp, seven illegal miners have been arrested.

Their arrest comes after a raid in Krugersdorp, which arrested 80 illegal miners. Seven of the illegal miners appeared in court on Wednesday and were charged with the rape.

The seven rape accused were initially charged with being in the country illegally. But they now face additional charges of robbery with aggravated circumstances.

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