A 33-year-old Mozambican national has been arrested in Malvern East, Ekurhuleni, after being found in possession of a cache of military-grade explosives, including an RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher. The arrest follows an operation by the Anti-Gang Unit, acting on intelligence regarding the suspect's possession of illegal weaponry.
According to a preliminary report, the Anti-Gang Unit initially received information suggesting the suspect was in possession of two AK-47 rifles. However, the operation uncovered a far more dangerous arsenal than initially anticipated.
"Upon arrival, members found an African male inside the house. The team introduced themselves as police officers and requested permission to search the premises, which was granted," the report stated.
The search revealed a haul of military-grade explosives, including one RPG-7 launcher, eight RPG-7 boosters, and eight RPG-7 grenades. The suspect was immediately arrested after failing to produce any legal documentation authorising him to possess such explosives.
"The Explosives Unit confirmed that the suspect will be charged with possession of military explosives," the report noted.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the arrest, stating, "An operation was conducted and the police pounced on the house and found the suspects with explosives."
The City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety MMC, Mgcini Tshwaku, added that officers recovered military-grade explosives, including an RPG-7 launcher, boosters and rounds. "The suspect failed to provide lawful authorisation and was arrested for possession of military explosives," said Tshwaku. "This operation reflects decisive, intelligence-driven enforcement. There is no space for organised violence or illegal weaponry in our city."
The operation involved multiple specialised units working in coordination, including the Explosives Unit, Local Criminal Record Centre, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (the Hawks), and the Johannesburg Tactical Response Unit.
The East Rand area of Ekurhuleni has become a significant hotspot for "zama zama" activity, with illegal miners operating extensively in the region’s disused gold mines. These miners often come from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, capitalising on the slowdown in large-scale gold mining operations that left numerous abandoned or partially closed mines accessible for unregulated mining.
The "zama zama" phenomenon has grown substantially, with miners using rudimentary tools and explosives to extract gold from underground tunnels, sometimes living underground for days or months.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Germiston Magistrate’s Court to face charges of possession of military explosives.
Meanwhile, in the Free State, police have arrested two suspects in separate operations for possession of illegal firearms. In Vrede, a man was arrested after community members reported him carrying a gun at a local bottle store. "Police responded swiftly and searched the suspect, where they recovered a 9mm firearm with ammunition concealed on his waist. The firearm had no licence, and the serial number had been filed off," said police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring. A case of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition has been opened, and forensic ballistic analysis will be conducted to determine if the gun was used in other crimes.
In Marquard, police arrested another suspect who was allegedly pointing a firearm at people. "Police immediately acted on the information and proceeded to the identified address. Upon arrival, the suspect was found in possession of a 9mm pistol and ammunition, without a valid licence," said Mophiring.
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