Operation Shanela enabled members from Dientjie SAPS to arrest a 37-year-old male suspect at Matibidi for possession of some explosives on Friday, 08 December 2023 around 15:00.
The man’s arrest came after the men and women in Blue got information about a person who was in possession of some explosives.
Police responded and followed the information as provided, which gave description regarding the motor vehicle he was driving. The said vehicle was spotted and the driver was ordered to stop.
Thereafter, a search was conducted and it was during this period when the astute members discovered some explosives hidden in an apartment where the spare wheel is kept. The man failed to account hence he was arrested and charged for illegal possession of explosives.
During preliminary investigation, Police discovered that suspect was arrested July 2023 on charges of possession of gold bearing material. On that case he was reportedly convicted and ordered to pay a fine in October 2023. The man was also arrested in August 2023 for similar offence, that of illegal possession of explosives. The case is still pending in court.
The suspect is expected to appear at Graskop Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 11 December 2023 facing the said charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspect and reassured the public that Police will continue to work hard in partnership with members of the community to root out crime whenever it raises its ugly head.
