Foreign national arrested after truck with explosives stopped at border post

A 37-year-old foreign national was arrested at the Beitbridge border post in Limpopo on Thursday night after a truck he was driving was loaded with explosives.

Explosives found at Beitbridge border post

Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said police found two boxes of explosives while conducting routine inspections at the border post’s South Gate.

He added that the white truck had Gauteng registration plates, with investigations revealing it was headed to that province.

“The suspect was immediately arrested and the vehicle was confiscated,” said Mashaba.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court soon and will face charges of illegal possession of explosives.

Mashaba said the explosives were valued at approximately R300 000.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing, he added.

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Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe said the arrest came after officials had strengthened security measures at South Africa’s border posts.  

“The interception of these explosives is a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to combat crime and protect our communities,” he said.

Shootout after bread delivery truck robbed

Meanwhile, also in Limpopo on Thursday, a shootout occurred between police and suspects who had robbed a bread delivery truck.

 Police responded after identifying a vehicle that was involved in the robbery at Ga-sekgopo village.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Thakeng said the vehicle was speeding and lost control. This caused it to veer off the road.

“The suspects started firing shots at the police and ran into the bushes. Saps members returned fire, resulting in one of the suspects injured in his leg,” Thakeng said.

A 30-year-old man was then arrested for possession of suspected stolen property, unlicensed firearms and attempted murder.

Thakeng said two unlicensed firearms, cellphones, a grinder, a hammer, bags and clothes were recovered.

“The third firearm was found at Titibe village on Friday, 4 April 2025 and the second suspect was also arrested,” he said.

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This all occurred after a bakery truck delivering bread was shot at by the suspects around noon.

“The bakery truck driver stopped the truck. The suspects robbed them of their cellphones, money and took them to the bushes where they were held hostage. They tampered with the safe and an undisclosed amount of money was taken,” said Thakeng.

The suspects will appear in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Monday. They will face charges including attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of stolen property.

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