Four allegedly involved in explosives syndicate arrested in Welkom

Members of a syndicate suspected of supplying illegal explosives to criminals have been arrested in Welkom.

The syndicate is believed to be supplying to those involved in cash in transit (CIT) armed robberies, ATM bombings and illegal mining.

Three men and a woman were arrested in Welkom during a tracing operation conducted by SAPS Eastern Cape Crime Intelligence, the National Intervention Unit (NIU) from Pretoria, and the Free State police’s explosive department on 21 February.

The suspects are believed to be involved in numerous cases of explosives being used in the commission of crimes in the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West and Gauteng. They were found with 40 explosives and a number of accessories to be used with explosives in their possession.

Through Operation Shanela, the police have seized 11 481 explosives during roadblocks, tracing operations and stop-and-search operations since May 2023.

In the same period, 173 suspects have been arrested for the illegal possession of explosives.

The four suspects who were arrested last week appeared before the Welkom Magistrates’ Court on Friday, on charges relating to contravention of the Explosives Act.

Some of the items seized in Welkom by the police. The suspects were found with 40 explosives and a number of accessories to be used with explosives. Photo: Supplied