A 42-year-old Zimbabwean national has been sentenced to an effective 20 years’ imprisonment for unlawfully possessing explosives at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Limpopo worth R400 000.
The Limpopo Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) welcomed the sentence imposed on Edgar Maroto following his arrest on 10 April 2026.
According to the Hawks, alert officials at the Beitbridge Port of Entry intercepted a truck driven by Maroto after members of the Border Management Authority noticed a South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officer pursuing the vehicle and assisted in apprehending the driver.
A thorough search of the truck uncovered a consignment of explosives. The Musina Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) documented the scene, while the Musina Explosives Unit processed the exhibits.
Police seized 3,970 blasting cartridge tubes, 48 cammex connector capsules and 10 reels of detonator fuse. The explosives, with an estimated street value of R400,000, were placed under the custody of Musina police.
Following an investigation, Maroto appeared in Musina Magistrate’s Court and was convicted on charges of unlawful possession of explosives and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of explosives and 10 years for contravening POCA. The court ordered that five years of the POCA sentence run concurrently with the main sentence, resulting in an effective 20-year prison term.
Limpopo Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Adv Gopz Govender, praised the officers involved in the arrest and investigation.
“This sentence sends a clear message that the illegal movement and possession of explosives will be met with the full might of the law. We remain committed to securing our ports of entry against threats to public safety,” said Govender.
