Police in Mpumalanga have arrested two foreign nationals, Justice Thejana and Rethabile Pheku, 40, after explosives were discovered in their vehicle, a white Toyota Fortuner GD-6.
Image: SAPS
Police in Mpumalanga have arrested two foreign nationals, Justice Thejana, 30, and Rethabile Pheku, 40, after explosives were discovered in their vehicle, a white Toyota Fortuner.
Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the two were intercepted by proactive police officers deployed under Operation Vala Umgodi on Wednesday.
The pair was arrested along the R532 Road between Graskop and Ohrigstad.
“During an intelligence-driven disruptive operation in the Matibidi area, the team spotted a white Toyota Fortuner with Gauteng registration number plates and there were two occupants inside. The vehicle was stopped and a search by the alert officers led to the discovery of explosives hidden inside the door panels,” said Ndubane.
She said the police confiscated six Superpower 90 solar Explochemo explosives, a cellphone and the Toyota Fortuner which was transporting the two men.
“The suspects were arrested and charged with unlawful possession of explosives. The suspects already appeared at the Graskop Magistrate’s Court (on Thursday) 2025 and they were remanded in custody,” she said.
The two accused men are set to return to court on April 20.
Police in Mpumalanga have arrested two foreign nationals, Justice Thejana and Rethabile Pheku, 40, after explosives were discovered in their vehicle, a white Toyota Fortuner GD-6.
Image: SAPS
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed the arrest of the duo, and issued “a stern warning” to people involved in illegal mining across the province.
Mkhwanazi also appreciated the impact made by the law enforcement team “as they displayed commitment and their hard work is often yielding positive results”.
He added that gradually, Mpumalanga will eradicate illegal mining and related crimes.
On Wednesday, IOL reported that the Hawks in East London have been granted a forfeiture order for a Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab bakkie and foreign currency equivalent to R400,000.
The Toyota Hilux valued at R900,000 and the foreign currency were instruments in committing crime, according to Eastern Cape spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant-Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL
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