Gauteng police have arrested a 16-year-old teenager in Roodepoort for possession of 50 explosives.
Provincial spokesperson Lt Col Amanda van Wyk said the teenager was arrested earlier this week by members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) and Gauteng Crime Intelligence after information on suspects selling explosives in and around Motlhakeng was received.
“Information reportedly led the team to an identified address in Roodepoort where they arrested the teenager and seized 50 blasting cartridges, 25 safety fuse connectors, and detonating cords.”
Van Wyk added that investigations remain ongoing to identify the criminal networks behind the illegal possession and distribution of explosives.
She also noted that explosives are often used in the commission of serious crimes such as cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies and illegal mining.
Previously, The Star reported the deadly consequences of such crimes. In the Eastern Cape town of Tsolo, an alleged CIT robber was killed in a shootout with police, while four others were arrested.
Eastern Cape police responded to reports of a heist in progress along the N2, where suspects abandoned a Nissan NP200 loaded with explosives. Further searches led officers to multiple houses, where they recovered four unlicensed firearms, four vehicles, explosives, 161 rifle cartridges, and seven magazines.
Additional suspects carrying rifles and explosive devices were intercepted, with one fatally shot during a confrontation with police. Six suspects remained at large at the time of reporting.
Eastern Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene praised officers for their swift response, emphasizing that law enforcement is “always operational ready in preventing all criminal acts which endanger the safety of the community, and will pursue in ensuring that those responsible are facing the full might of the law.”