Zimbabwean Nationals Arrested With R160,000 Worth of Explosives, South Africans Express Frustration
- Members of the South African Police Service found three Zimbabwean nationals with explosives in Roodepoort
- Investigations are underway to determine what the explosives, which are valued at around R160,000, were going to be used for
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the discovery, sharing frustrations that foreign nationals were involved
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Source: UGC
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG - Three Zimbabwean nationals are facing charges of possession of explosives after they were arrested in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Authorities acted on intelligence that a suspected supplier was distributing explosives to criminal networks involved in ATM bombings, cash-in-transit heists and illegal mining operations.
The tip-off led officers to a property where two men and one woman were found in possession of a substantial cache of explosive materials.
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What were the suspects found with?
The trio was discovered with 88 safety fuses, 62 blasting cartridges and approximately 400 metres of detonating cord. The total value of the confiscated explosives is estimated at around R160,000.
A white Toyota Etios bearing false registration plates was also seized at the scene and is being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The three suspects are expected to appear in court, while investigators continue to establish whether the group has links to other ATM bombings, cash-in-transit robberies or illegal mining incidents across the country.
How did South Africans react?
The arrests drew immediate reactions on social media, with many South Africans expressing frustration about crime linked to foreign nationals.
@WatuJayP wrote:
"We keep saying foreigners are criminals. Government, flush out these criminals from their hideouts."
@SinfordLebogang added:
"Thank you SAPS and Government. Do you see how every day crime reports have illegal immigrants committing heinous crimes and the NPA slaps them on the wrist."
@MatumainiCholo said:
"No one can be a sane South African and still defend African migrants. It's impossible. Unless that person has a benefit of some sort from them."
@ThobaniMpungos2 wrote:
"These people don't want to leave. They want to terrorise our country by force, neh."
@Jacob78799727 commented:
"Neighbours from hell."
Other stories about Zimbabwean nationals being arrested
- A Zimbabwean man, wanted for kidnapping by Interpol, was arrested in Sandton, South Africa.
- A Zimbabwean man was arrested in Middelburg after he was found with cash and over 500 passports.
- A Zimbabwean woman was arrested for selling prescription pills on the street in the Pretoria CBD.
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Source: Briefly News
