Mozambican Man Arrested After Military-Grade Mortar Round Found at SA Border
- A Mozambican national was arrested at the Lebombo Port of Entry near Komatipoort after border authorities found explosive ordnance in his possession
- The unassembled mortar round was discovered during a routine inspection as the suspect attempted to cross between South Africa and Mozambique
- Police explosives experts are investigating how the suspect came to possess the military-grade device and where it was headed
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Source: Getty Images
MPUMALANGA — A Mozambican national is in custody at Komatipoort after border officials uncovered a military-grade mortar round during a routine search at the Lebombo Port of Entry.
The suspect was stopped while attempting to cross between South Africa and Mozambique. During the inspection, authorities found an unassembled explosive device, identified as a mortar round, concealed in the suspect's possession. The ordnance was immediately handed over to specialised police units for further examination.
Explosives experts called in
Police explosives experts and other relevant authorities have taken over the investigation, focusing on two key questions: how the suspect acquired the military-grade device, and what its intended destination may have been.
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The Lebombo Port of Entry, situated near Komatipoort in Mpumalanga, is one of South Africa's busiest border crossings and a major transit point between the two neighbouring countries.
The suspect remains detained at Komatipoort as the investigation continues. No formal charges have been publicly confirmed at the time of writing, and authorities have not yet released further details about the suspect's identity or background.
South Africans react online
The arrest drew sharp reactions on social media, with many users raising questions about border security and the potential threat posed by the discovery.
@zandy_thabethe wrote:
"Is this a bomb? The country is a playground for terrorists!!!!"
@jabzin2025 questioned:
"Against who was that going to be used? And definitely he's not alone on that mission so his cell must be taken down."
@TSekgeme asked:
"Who was he going to kill with that bomb? There's no war in South Africa🤷🏿♂️"
@srakwena warned:
"This is probably the tip of the iceberg"
@FMohokare added:
"Open borders they say"
Zimbabwean nationals nabbed with explosives
Briefly News reported that Zimbabwean nationals who were stopped at the Beitbridge border post were found to be in the possession of R38k worth of explosives. The explosives were seized by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Captain Moses Semono of the Limpopo Joint Technical Headquarters said that the explosive might have been intended for ATM heists. Three undocumented Zimbabweans were taken into custody following the discovery of the explosives. Included with the explosives, the SANDF confiscated six reels of detonating cord and 50 units of connector capped fuses.
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Source: Briefly News
