According to a media statement issued by the provincial SAPS, the Mhluzi police are investigating an incident whereby one male person died whilst another sustained injuries after an explosion occurred yesterday at 15:30 in Avalon at an old military site.

According to a report, the two individuals seems to have been trying to get copper from what is believed to be a mortar round.

During this process, the said mortar exploded, leading to the unfortunate death of a 40-year-old man and serious injuries to another man (44).

Emergency Services was dispatched to the scene, and the injured individual was transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

Meanwhile an investigation of inquest is underway and part of that probe will be to get some clarity on what drove the two individuals to that vicinity. Circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are also being investigated.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has been saddened by this tragic incident. The General also took the opportunity to caution members of the public not to approach or handle any suspicious object as this could put their lives in danger.

“Safety remains our highest priority as we conduct our investigation into this incident however we also urge parents to warn your children on the dangers of objects which they may find, laying somewhere as this can be detrimental to the young ones. Instead, members of the public should immediately report any suspicious thing to the authorities, ” said the General.