Truck driver arrested with explosives at Beitbridge seeks bail

Edgar Maroto appeared in court after authorities found explosives valued at one million rand hidden in his vehicle.

A truck driver arrested at the Beitbridge border post with explosives worth approximately one million rand was expected to apply for bail at the Musina Magistrate's Court on Monday.¹²

Edgar Maroto, 42, was arrested last week after authorities discovered explosives concealed in a compartment mounted under the trailer of his truck as it entered South Africa from Zimbabwe.¹² The arrest was carried out during a joint operation involving the Border Management Authority and other border officials.¹

The seized items included thousands of blasting cartridges, detonators and fuse reels.² Border Management Authority Assistant Commissioner Nthuliseni Luvhengo said the explosives were believed to be intended for use in cash-in-transit robberies and illegal mining activities.¹²

Luvhengo said the compartment containing the explosives appeared to have been mounted separately and was not part of the truck's original equipment.² "When that particular item was inspected, we found that there were three bags. Those bags were containing the explosives, and we suspect that these are the kind of explosives that people use when they do these cash-in-transit heists, as well as when they are mining illegal minerals," he said.²

Maroto remained in custody ahead of the bail hearing.¹ The Border Management Authority described the interception as a major breakthrough.¹

Luvhengo added that authorities have observed an increase in fuel smuggling from South Africa to Zimbabwe.²