Two men in their 40s from Gqeberha were arrested on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, following the discovery of unlawful explosives at a residence in Makgolokweng Village near Harrismith.
The arrests were made by a joint #OperationShanela2 task team comprising the South African Police Service (SAPS), Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality Traffic, municipal officials, Eskom, the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea), and Environmental Health officials.
Members of the Phuthaditjhaba SAPS K9 Unit were conducting crime-combating operations, searches, and compliance inspections at various businesses in Makgolokweng Village when the discovery was made. During the operation, two police officers accompanied by a narcotics detection dog entered a room occupied by two tenants. While searching the premises, officers noticed a locked trunk. Upon opening it, they discovered explosives packed inside plastic sacks.
The two suspects were immediately arrested and charged with unlawful possession of explosives. The Free State Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) will conduct further investigations into the matter.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 29 May 2026.
