Authorities intercept R1 million in explosives at Beitbridge border post
via The Citizen12 min read
Law enforcement authorities have intercepted explosives valued at approximately R1 million at the Beitbridge Port of Entry. Officials from the Border Management Authority BMA, South African Police Service SAPS, and South African Revenue Service SARS discovered the explosives last week. BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi stated that a truck attempting to enter South Africa was found to be carrying bulk mining explosives, Cap fuse Carmex, and detonator fuse on April 10, 2026. The explosives were hidden in a concealed compartment within the truck's trailer. The driver initially claimed to be transporting scrap material but was arrested after attempting to flee when the explosives were discovered during a thorough inspection. A case has been opened at Musina Police Station, and the explosives were handed over to the SAPS Musina Explosives Unit for further investigation into their origin and destination. Dr. Michael Masiapato, Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, commended the vigilance of the authorities, emphasizing that this interception is part of routine stop-and-search operations at all ports of entry to ensure only legitimate goods enter the country.
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Must ReadThe Constitutional Court ruled on May 8, 2026, that Parliament acted irrationally in December 2022 by rejecting the referral of a Section 89 panel report to an impeachment committee. This decision mandates the National Assembly to establish an impeachment committee, as outlined in Rule 129I, to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa. The inquiry will focus on three potential grounds for removal: serious violation of the constitution or law, serious misconduct, or inability to perform duties. Key aspects of the investigation will likely include the origin of $580,000 stolen from Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in February 2020, which he stated was payment for buffaloes to Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa. Questions persist regarding the cash transaction, the non-delivery of the buffaloes, and why the money was not returned. The inquiry will also examine allegations of a cover-up, including the failure to report the burglary to the South African Police Service and the alleged involvement of Wally Rhoode, head of the Presidential Protection Service, in a cover-up and unlawful cross-border activities. The storage of the cash for 44 days without declaration to the South African Reserve Bank, violating Exchange Control Regulations, will also be scrutinized. Following the committee's report, the National Assembly will vote on removal, requiring a two-thirds majority of 267 votes. The current Government of National Unity, comprising the ANC and its partners, holds 287 seats, indic
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Former public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba's defense team has received the state docket in a case involving alleged irregularities at Transnet. Gigaba, along with former Transnet chief financial officer Anoj Singh, former chief executives Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, and former Transnet Freight Rail chief procurement officer Thamsanqa Jiyane, appeared at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for a pre-trial conference. The case centers on allegations that tender processes were flouted during the procurement of locomotives between November 2010 and May 2014, resulting in billions of rand in losses for Transnet. The state also alleges that Gigaba accepted undisclosed amounts of cash from members of the Gupta family during his tenure as minister. Gigaba's attorney, Nicholas Kourie, confirmed that the former minister has secured funding for legal representation after his application for state-funded assistance was refused. The legal team intends to consult with Gigaba to determine whether to file a Request for Further Particulars or submit representations. Procedural matters regarding legal representation have been resolved, and the firm will continue to represent Gigaba. The matter has been postponed to July 10, 2026, for further pre-trial processes.
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