Intelligence Raid Unpacks a Luggage Bag of Explosives at Barberton Guest House, Two Zimbabwean Nationals Arrested

Nelspruit, Mpumalanga – A covert intelligence operation culminated in the arrest of two Zimbabwean nationals at a guest house in Barberton on Sunday, 28 September 2025, after police discovered a large cache of explosives neatly concealed within a luggage bag.

The successful raid, conducted in the New Village area, was carried out by a multi-disciplinary team acting on precise intelligence, preventing dangerous materials from potentially fueling the rampant illegal mining economy in the region.

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The Raid: A Bag of Danger in a Guest House Room

According to police reports, the operation zeroed in on a specific room at the guest house. Upon searching the premises, officers discovered a luggage bag filled with a significant quantity of explosives. The two male suspects, aged 29 and 33, who were present in the room, could not provide a valid license or any lawful explanation for their possession of the hazardous items and were immediately taken into custody.

The scene was swiftly secured, and specialists from the SAPS Explosives Unit were dispatched to manage and "render safe" the discovered materials. The exhibits have been seized and sent for forensic analysis to determine their exact composition and origin.

Linking the Explosives to Illegal Mining Syndicates

While the investigation is in its early stages, preliminary information strongly suggests the explosives were destined for use in illegal mining operations, locally known as "zama zamas."

Mpumalanga, particularly areas like Barberton with its rich mining history, has been grappling with the environmental and security challenges posed by these illicit activities. The use of unregulated explosives poses a severe risk to both the perpetrators and nearby communities, leading to potential cave-ins, toxic chemical runoff, and violent turf wars between syndicates.

This seizure disrupts the supply chain of a dangerous and highly profitable underground industry, underscoring the ongoing battle between law enforcement and sophisticated criminal networks.

Charges and Commendations

The two suspects are expected to be formally charged in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court for Contravening the Explosives Act, Act 26 of 1956. The specific sections cited—Section 6(1) and Section 28(1)—typically relate to the unlawful possession, manufacture, or distribution of explosives without the required permits.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanka, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, praised the collaborative effort that led to the arrest. "The collaborative efforts of Crime Intelligence, Public Order Policing, and the Explosives Unit in ensuring that such dangerous items are removed from society are commended," a statement read, highlighting the importance of inter-unit cooperation in tackling complex crimes.

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This arrest signals a continued focus by SAPS on disrupting the logistical networks that enable large-scale criminal enterprises, moving beyond just the miners in the pits to target the suppliers of their essential tools.