Police arrest two suspects and seize explosives possibly meant for illegal mining in Langlaagte, Johannesburg

PARKTOWN – Police on Wednesday, 12 August 2020 arrested two suspects and seized explosives while patrolling the Zamimpilo informal settlement in Langlaagte, Johannesburg.

Members from Langlaagte stopped and searched a man suspected of selling cigarettes and instead discovered explosives in a plastic bag.

The K9 Unit was summoned and on arrival confirmed that the contents of the plastic bag were indeed explosives: 20 sticks of power gel, 10 connectors capped fuses, 10 meters of ignitor cord.

A further search at the man’s shackled to the discovery of even more explosives: 90 meters of ignitor cord, 85 connectors capped fuses, and 84 more sticks of power gel. A woman was arrested.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 14 August 2020.

Gauteng Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the team for both their vigilance and diligence, particularly on learning that the members had refused a bribe allegedly offered by the male suspect as he was being arrested.

Police have previously disrupted illegal mining activities in the Langalaagte area as such activities have been found to contribute to serious and violent crimes such as murder. The SAPS together with other law enforcement agencies in Gauteng will, therefore, continue with such patrols and integrated disruptive operations in areas known to be problematic, and make sure that criminals are removed from the streets of Gauteng and put behind bars.