Rashid Hassan (34) was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on Tuesday at the Klerksdorp Regional Court for the illegal possession of explosives, an electro detonator, power gel and mortar.

According to the Hawks spokesperson, Capt. Tlangelani Rikhotso, the accused was arrested last year in December at a Sasol garage in Klerksdorp during a sting operation. ‘Rashid and two other accused, Tawana Mutungambera (19) and Raina Mirasi (34) were trying to sell the highly dangerous material when they were subsequently arrested,’ said Rikhotso.

‘All three suspects remained in custody since the arrest until the sentencing on Tuesday. Hassan alone was found guilty of the offence while the other two were released,’ she said.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Maj-Genl Linda Mbana welcomed the conviction and applauded the investigation team.