Two hand grenades were recovered after an alert community member noticed a suspicious man carrying the items in Roodekrans at about 19:00 on Heritage Day, September 24.

According to SSOP NPC chairperson Leon Marinus, the concerned resident immediately contacted the SSOP Operation Co-ordination Centre to report the suspicious items.

“We immediately co-ordinated a response, requesting assistance from private security companies, JMPD and the police,” said Marinus.

“Upon the arrival of private security and JMPD, the suspicious individual fled the area.

“A search of the area revealed two objects resembling hand grenades. As a safety measure, officers secured the area and kept members of the public at a safe distance while the police explosives unit was dispatched.

“The devices were subsequently confirmed to be two hand grenades, which were safely secured without injury or further incident.”

Marinus added that the incident demonstrated why community reporting, rapid response, and effective co-ordination between community safety organisations, security partners, and law enforcement agencies are so important.

“From the initial report to the SSOP OCC to responding members arriving on scene took only about nine minutes,” he said.

The Johannesburg District communications co-ordinator for the police, Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Tshetlane, confirmed the incident and added that no arrests have yet been made.