A former Zimbabwean Member of Parliament has been arrested in Pretoria after police allegedly found explosives in his vehicle.

The 53-year-old suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, was arrested alongside a 78-year-old accomplice on Friday morning.

Police reported receiving a tip-off regarding suspicious individuals travelling in a Ford Fiesta in the heart of Pretoria. Acting on this credible information, officers swiftly located the vehicle and executed a stop. Upon inspection, police said they uncovered 26 blasting cartridges and 15 capped fuse connectors, items typically associated with unlawful explosives use.

The police statement did not elaborate on the intended use of the explosives.

The suspects are expected to appear at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, November 10, 2025.

In another similar case, Hawks in Limpopo welcomed the recent conviction and sentencing of a 48-year-old Zimbabwean national, Edward Chikukwa, who was found guilty of unlawful possession of explosives.

Chikukwa was sentenced by the Musina Regional Court to 15 years of direct imprisonment after being arrested earlier this year.

Hawks provincial spokesperson in Limpopo, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, said the case stemmed from an incident on 11 March 2025, when police stopped a horse-and-two-trailers truck at the Beitbridge port of entry weighbridge.

“During a routine search of the trailer, officers discovered bags containing 16 reels of detonating fuse explosives and 2,182 Superpower 90 blasting cartridges with an estimated value of more than R600,000.”

He said Chikukwa was immediately arrested and charged with unlawful possession of explosives.

“The Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation team in Musina took over the matter and ensured that the accused remained in custody until the finalisation of the case,” Mmuroa said at the time.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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