Police seized 1,312 blasting cartridges worth about R131 200 and arrested two Congolese nationals in Nancefield, Musina. Image credit SAPS
Two Congolese nationals are in custody following a Musina explosives arrest in Nancefield, Limpopo. Police seized 1,312 blasting cartridges from the pair, with an estimated value of about R131 200.
The suspects, aged 23 and 32, face charges of unlawful possession of explosives. So far, police have not released their names or confirmed when they will appear in court.
Furthermore, police have not revealed how they traced the explosives or what the suspects allegedly planned to use them for. They are likely to appear before the Musina Magistrates Court, where previous suspects in similar cases have faced charges.
Blasting cartridges are commercial explosives that mines use to break rock. However, criminals also use them in illegal mining operations and ATM bombings across the country. For this reason, the law strictly controls who may buy, store and transport them.
Latest Musina explosives arrest follows a string of busts
Musina sits close to the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe, one of the busiest crossings in Southern Africa. In recent years, the town has become a hotspot for explosives seizures as police intercept illegal cargo moving through the area.
In January this year, officers on the N1 near Musina stopped a speeding Polo Vivo and found a bag containing 119 blasting cartridges and 24 detonating cord fuses in the boot. Police arrested the two occupants, aged 21 and 24, after they failed to explain where the explosives came from.
Just days earlier, soldiers from the South African National Defence Force spotted two men carrying large bags near the Beitbridge border at night. The men dropped the bags and ran, but the soldiers caught one of them. Inside the bags, they found 125 blasting cartridges and 25 safety fuses.
Similarly, in April 2025, police arrested a 37 year old man at the Beitbridge Port of Entry with two boxes of explosives worth about R300 000. According to police, the truck he travelled in was heading to Gauteng.
In September 2024, police also recovered 570 blasting cartridges from an abandoned car in Musina after a tip off from the community.
Beyond Limpopo, the Hawks arrested two men at a lodge in Nelspruit earlier this month. Investigators found detonators, blasting cartridges and connector cords worth an estimated R130 000 in their possession.
By comparison, the latest seizure in Nancefield stands out for its size. At 1,312 cartridges, it is far larger than any of the recent busts in the area.
Meanwhile, possessing explosives without a licence is a serious offence under the Explosives Act. Those convicted can face heavy fines or lengthy prison sentences.
For now, investigations into the Musina explosives arrest continue. Police are expected to share more details once the suspects appear in court.