Hawks Arrest 2 Men With R130 000 Explosives Cache at Nelspruit Lodge
- The Hawks arrested a 37-year-old undocumented foreign national and a 36-year-old South African at a lodge along the R40 in Nelspruit on 4 September 2026
- The two suspects were found allegedly in possession of detonators, blasting cartridges and connector cords worth an estimated R130 000
- The operation was intelligence-driven and involved multiple law enforcement agencies and private security partners
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Source: UGC
MPUMALANGA — Two men were arrested by the Hawks at a lodge in Nelspruit on Friday, 4 September 2026, after an intelligence-driven operation uncovered a substantial quantity of explosives allegedly in their possession.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in Mpumalanga confirmed the arrests in a media statement. The suspects are a 37-year-old undocumented foreign national and a 36-year-old South African citizen.
How the Hawks closed in on the suspects
The Hawks' Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit acted on tip-offs from National Crime Intelligence indicating that two individuals allegedly carrying explosives would be at a lodge on the R40 in Nelspruit. The team received confirmation at around 15:30 that the suspects had arrived at the location and approached the premises tactically, finding both men inside a room.
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The operation drew support from National Crime Intelligence, Fidelity Security Services Head Office, Fairview Mine, and the Illicit Mining Operation Vikela Barberton.
What was found at the scene
According to the report, the investigators recovered 50 electric detonators, 80 blasting cartridges described as Super Power 90 Zambia, and 32 connector cords. The combined street value of the explosives was estimated at R130 000. Two mobile phones were also seized.
A grey Hyundai i20 in which the suspects were travelling was confiscated for further investigation. The Explosives Unit and Local Criminal Record Centre attended the scene and provided specialist assistance.
Both suspects face charges under the Explosives Act, and the foreign national faces an additional charge under the Immigration Act. A case was registered at Nelspruit Police Station, and the two are expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrates' Court once formally charged.
Provincial Head of the DPCI in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, praised the multidisciplinary team for acting swiftly on the intelligence and disrupting what he described as alleged illegal possession of explosives.
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More on SAPS and Hawks operations
- Briefly News recently reported on police stepping in after Spring Day celebrations turned chaotic in a township, with concerns raised over matric students caught up in the mayhem.
- An intelligence-driven operation at a West Rand mine ended with dozens of arrests and one illegal miner shot dead during a shootout with law enforcement.
- Briefly News also reported on a multi-agency raid that uncovered thousands of counterfeit items worth over R1.5 million in the Johannesburg CBD.
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Source: Briefly News
