BETHAL – Police in Mpumalanga are in pursuit of suspects who broke into Forzando Colliery in Bethal and stole a large amount of explosives Friday night, 29 June.
Brigadier Leonard Hlathi said the theft happened at about 10pm.
“It is unclear at this point how many suspects there are and how they managed to access the storeroom where the explosives were stored.”
This triggered an intensive investigation. Brigadier Hlathi said 120 Maxam Magex cartridges were stolen.
He said the police believe the explosives might have been stolen to supply crime gangs that commit cash-in-transit robberies, ATM bombings and other related violent crimes.
The provincial commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, is appealing to the community to assist the police in their investigation.
Anyone who has information that may lead to the arrest of the thieves and the recovery of the explosives, is requested to contact Detective Captain Rian Douglas at 084 230 4630.
