SA MAN BUSTED WITH 12 EXPLOSIVES AT BORDER

MBABANE – A routine border crossing turned explosive on Wednesday when a South African national was apprehended at the Mananga Border Gate with 12 Magex Maxam blasting explosives. The 37-year-old South African national was apprehended with Magex Maxam, which is a commercial explosive used in various industries, including mining, quarrying and construction. These explosives are known for their high detonation velocity and power. They are also highly dangerous and require careful handling and storage.
The arrest of the South African national is against the backdrop of a number of reported cases in his native country - South Africa and other international countries, where criminals used this type of blasting explosives to blow up automated teller machines (ATM). The early morning discovery, around 7:30am, has sparked an investigation into the man’s intentions and the potential destination of the volatile cargo.  

Charges

The suspect is currently in custody and is expected to face serious charges. There are fears among residents, according to top sources, that the explosives were intended for use in violent crimes, such as cash-in-transit robberies, ATM bombings and other related offences. The arrest was made by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) during a routine search at the border crossing. The suspect was reportedly attempting to gain entry into Eswatini from South Africa when the explosives were discovered inside his vehicle. The police are investigating the incident and are working to determine the suspect’s motive for possessing the explosives. They are also working to determine whether the explosives were intended for use in Eswatini or were being transported to another country.

According to sources, the arrest of the suspect was closer to a mine at Mhlume and there is uncertainty on whether he has other accomplices who could have stolen the explosives for him from the mine. They claimed that they were banking their hopes with the police to extract information from the suspect in order to be certain of their safety. Conversely, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the arrest of the South African national, whom she said will make his maiden court appearance today. The possession of explosives without a valid permit or licence is a serious offence in Eswatini. The suspect could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
In December 2024, two South African men and two emaSwati women were arrested in connection with the bombing of two ATMs at Mpaka.

 The South African nationals Dumisani Goodman Ngubane (34) of Daveyton and Lethukuthula Hlongwa (21) of Natal were arrested together with two emaSwati women, Lomakhosi Dlamini (49) of Dlangeni, under Chief Nsukumbili, Elli Olivia Khoza (44) of KaShoba and Armando Maswangayi (27) from Mozambique, and they were slapped with 10 counts.
They allegedly stole money amounting to E533 350 from an ATM, belonging to First National Bank (FNB) Eswatini, which was in the lawful possession of Mbongiseni Sibiya.
On the same note, in count two, they were also charged with theft. According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that on December 6, 2024, while they were at Mpaka, in the Lubombo Region, the accused persons purportedly stole money amounting to E320 210 from an ATM belonging to EswatiniBank.

It was said that the money was in the lawful possession of Andile Fakudze. In count four, they were charged with malicious damage to property in that on December 6, 2024, they purportedly damaged an FNB ATM and currency notes valued at E394 450. Again, in the other charge, the accused persons are said to have allegedly damaged an EswatiniBank ATM and currency notes valued at E663 000. In count five, the accused persons were charged for allegedly contravening Section 11(1) of the Arms and Ammunition Act of 1966. It is alleged that on December 6, 2024, while they were at Hhelehhele, in the Manzini Region, they were found in possession of a black and silver 9mm pistol without a licence.

Possession

In count six, they were charged under the Arms and Ammunition Act of 1966, after they were purportedly found in possession of five rounds of ammunition without a licence or permit. The accused persons were further charged for allegedly contravening Section 9 of the Explosives Act of 1961, for being found with five explosives without a licence. Meanwhile, Maswangayi and Hlongwa were also charged for entering and remaining in the Kingdom of Eswatini without proper documents (passports).In count nine and 10, they were charged with contravening Section 18(1) of the Public Order Act no 12/2017, in that they purportedly impaired the usefulness or impeded the working of EswatiniBank and FNB ATMs, which were installed for self-service financial transactions, which is an essential service to the community. The accused persons were remanded in custody until December 16, 2024, pending their trial date setting.

Also, in October 2022, four men were arrested in connection with ATM bombings around the capital city and were charged with 17 counts. The counts included malicious injury to property, robbery, kidnapping, possession of illegal firearms and explosives and breach of the Immigration Act. The quartet is Sicelo Msibi (26), Muziwandile Lukhele (33) Given Mfanakazane Mavuso (19) all from Tjakastard in South Africa and Lindani Zitha (28) of Nkhaba, who is employed by Eswatini Television Authority (ESTVA). They were accused of bombing ATM structures belonging to the First National Bank (FNB), Standard Bank, EswatiniBank and Nedbank in various locations within Mbabane.
It was alleged that the quartet used explosives to blast the ATM structures.

In the first count, it was alleged that the accused persons blasted the FNB ATM structure situated at the Buy and Save Spar, causing damage of E450 000 on August 6, 2022. However, no money was stolen. It was alleged that the explosives damaged the shop glass window causing E400 000 worth of damage. The use of the explosives resulted in the quartet being charged with contravening Section 8 (1) (b) of the Explosives Act of 1961. On the same date, the accused persons are said to have proceeded to Lewis Furniture, where they allegedly damaged glass windows valued at E24 000. The charge sheet reflected that most activities took place on August 19, 2022.

Damage

In the first instance, it was alleged that the quartet used an unknown object to damage the Nedbank ATM situated at the Swazi Plaza in Mbabane, causing damage of E5 000. It was alleged that the accused persons proceeded to EswatiniBank, where they allegedly used an unknown object to damage the ATM, causing damage of E13 000.  On the same day, the quartet was alleged to have proceeded to the Mbabane Industrial Site where they blasted the Standard Bank ATM structure, causing E758 000 worth of damage. Meanwhile, the misuse of commercial explosives, particularly Magex Maxam, in criminal activities is becoming increasingly prevalent, raising concerns among law enforcement agencies worldwide.  Recent incidents highlight the dangerous trend.

In 2023, a Johannesburg ATM was targeted in a brazen heist, with robbers using Magex Maxam blasting explosives to gain access to the cash vault.  The perpetrators remain at large, and the amount of money stolen has not been disclosed. A similar incident occurred in Peru in 2022, where miners stole Magex Maxam explosives and used them in a bank robbery.  However, in this case, the robbers were apprehended, and the explosives were recovered, preventing further potential misuse. In 2021, a man was arrested in Mexico for attempting to smuggle Magex Maxam explosives into the United States.  Authorities believe the explosives were intended for criminal purposes, although the specific target remains unknown.
In 2018, men broke into Forzando Colliery in Bethal and stole explosives.

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