Mapaballo Borotho

- A 32-year-old Zimbabwean national was arrested in Barberton on Friday, for possession of illegal explosives and medicine.
- Police uncovered items that are possibly linked to illegal mining.
- The suspect faces multiple charges and will appear before the Barberton Magistrates Court on 21 July 2025.
A 32-year-old Zimbabwean national has been arrested for being in possession of illegal explosives and medicine in Barberton, Mpumalanga.
He was apprehended during a sting operation conducted by members of the South African Police Service on Mandela Day in the province.
The operation was executed through the collaborative efforts of several specialised units, including the Mpumalanga Organized Crime Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence (CI), Tactical Response Team (TRT), the White River K9 Unit, and Hi-Tech Security Company.
Mpumalanga Police spokesperson, Donald Mdhluli, said preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect may have been supplying these items to illegal mining operations in the area.
During the search, police managed to apprehend the suspect and recovered several illegal items, including 89 electronic detonators, 49 Superpower blasting cartridges, a 6-metre detonating cord, four safety fuses, and approximately nine boxes containing cough medication, gold-bearing material (rocks), as well as two portable scales.
The suspect has been charged with the illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of gold-bearing material, and illegal possession of medication.
He is expected to appear at the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 July 2025.
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