SA: Hawks put Zimbabwean explosives smugglers behind bars; duo jailed 15 years each

By Agencies

Two Zimbabwean nationals are now behind bars after the Musina Regional Court handed each of them a 15-year prison sentence on Monday, 24 November, for the unlawful possession of explosives in two separate incidents.

The first accused, 26-year-old Emerson Ruzvidzo, pleaded guilty after his arrest at Beitbridge Border Post on 15 May this year.

Police made the shocking discovery of 2,505 tubes of emulsion explosive, along with detonation cord and blasting caps, hidden inside a trailer attached to his vehicle.

The cache, valued at R330,000, was seized on the spot. Officers also impounded the trailer and a Toyota Quantum.

In the second incident, 54-year-old Fanie Chirara was arrested at the same border post earlier this year, on 17 January.

On the day of Chirara’s arrest, police halted and searched a cross-border bus travelling from Zimbabwe into South Africa. During the search, officers noticed suspicious luggage stowed above the fuel tank. A closer inspection revealed a bag packed with explosives.

The luggage was removed from the bus and was later found to contain 350 metres of detonating cord, valued at over R105,000, along with a passport. Using the passport, police were able to identify Chirara and place him under arrest.

Both cases were investigated by the Musina-based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, which ensured watertight investigations that led to successful convictions.

In a statement, the Hawks’ provincial head, Maj-Gen (Adv) Gopz Govender praised the investigating officers, Lt-Col Tshivhase and Capt Makhavhu, for their outstanding work in bringing the smugglers to justice.