A Limpopo couple has been arrested after police allegedly discovered explosives at their Northam home and later caught the male suspect attempting to bribe officers with R5,000 to secure his girlfriend’s release.
The arrests followed a joint intelligence-driven tactical operation conducted in the Northam policing area on Saturday, February 28, involving members of the Thabazimbi Detectives Unit, the Northam Detectives Unit, and the Rustenburg Explosives Unit.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said officers acted on information that a 27-year-old woman was in possession of explosives at a residence in the Northam RDP Section.
“During the search, Rustenburg Explosives Unit discovered explosives, and a 27-year-old female suspect was immediately placed under arrest for possession of explosives,” said Ledwaba.
According to police, the woman told officers the explosives belonged to her 39-year-old boyfriend, who is employed at a local mine.
Shortly after her arrest, the boyfriend allegedly approached police in an attempt to negotiate her release.
“He promised to pay an amount of five thousand rands (R5,000) for the release of his girlfriend,” Ledwaba said.
Police then conducted an entrapment operation, during which the man was arrested after allegedly handing over the cash to officers.
The couple is expected to appear in the Northam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 2, facing charges of possession of explosives and bribery of a police officer. Investigations are ongoing.
The Star