Two caged 15 years each for smuggling explosives

Zim Now Writer

Smuggling a contraband of explosives worth R200 000 into South Africa has earned a Zimbabwean truck driver an effective 15 years in prison.

Alois Kamwaza was arrested by the Hawks, South Africa’s elite police, in July while crossing from Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Border Post.

Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke confirmed the development.

The details of the matter are that on July 23, 2022, Kamwaza was stopped by the Border Police at Beitbridge port of entry while on his way into South Africa from Zimbabwe.

His truck was subjected to mandatory search police discovered the explosives that were hidden in a tools box at the back of his truck.

The driver claimed the explosives were destined for Gauteng Province.

Captain Maluleke said the explosives included 779 units of blasting cartridges and three reels of detonating fuse valued at approximately R200 000.

Kamwaza was arrested and the explosives were seized.

These were immediately seized and he was subsequently arrested.

In a related incident, an undocumented foreign national was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of explosives, according to Capt Maluleke.

The man was arrested by members of the South African National Defence Force at Beitbridge port of entry on May 27 this year after a search led to the discovery of 489 units of blasting cartridges with a value of R146 700 in his bag.

Wilman Mwando (40) was arrested and has been in police custody until his conviction and sentence on November 4.

Mwando was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment by the Musina Magistrate’s Court, which also convicted him for failing to use the correct port of entry to enter South Africa and for entering and remaining in that country without legal documentation.

For the two other offences, Mwando was fined R5000 or three months imprisonment for each offence.