By Agencies

South Africa’s (SA) Border Management Authority says a cache of explosives discovered in a truck entering the country from Zimbabwe is believed to be linked to cash-in-transit robberies and illegal mining.

The truck driver, Edgar Maroto, was arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post near Musina. He is expected to apply for bail on Monday.

Authorities estimate that the seized explosives are worth around R1 million ($62,000). Assistant Commissioner Nthuliseni Luvhengo said the haul includes thousands of blasting cartridges, detonators and fuse reels.

Luvhengo said officials became suspicious after discovering a concealed container mounted beneath the truck.

“We found that under the truck, there was a container that seemed to have been mounted, which was not part of the obvious items that the truck came with,” said Luvhengo.

“When that particular item was inspected, we found that there were three bags containing what we refer to as explosives. We suspect these are the kind of explosives used in cash-in-transit robberies, as well as in illegal mining activities.”

Luvhengo also highlighted n an increase in the smuggling of fuel out of South Africa to Zimbabwe.

“The challenges which are also experienced at the port, other than what we are having, are the situation where people are buying fuel in South Africa and trying to smuggle it to Zimbabwe, and another problem is that of illicit cigarettes.”

The official added; “Obviously, the other challenges of late will be the smuggling of children, not necessarily trafficking.

“We call it smuggling because it’s not that people who are smuggling or taking them are trafficking them and the other challenge that we are experiencing, not necessarily in the big bridge, is the issue of fuel smuggling, where people obviously buy some fuel this side.

“I think it is as a result of the fact that fuel is a little bit expensive, particularly in Zimbabwe.”