Former Zim MP Arrested in PTA Over Cache of Explosive Materials

(The Post News)– A former Zimbabwean Member of Parliament has been arrested in Pretoria after South African police reportedly discovered a cache of explosives in his vehicle.

Authorities confirmed that the 53-year-old politician, who is well known for his opposition to Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party, was taken into custody alongside a 78-year-old companion following an intelligence-led operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to police reports, officers stopped the vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, after receiving a tip-off about suspicious activity. Upon searching the car, they allegedly found 26 blasting cartridges and 15 capped fuse connectors, items commonly used in mining operations but also capable of being repurposed for illegal activities. Investigators have not yet disclosed where the explosives were headed or what their intended use might have been.

The two suspects are currently being detained at a Pretoria police station and are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 10 November, to face charges of unlawful possession of explosives. Police have not officially released the identity of the former Zimbabwean MP pending the court proceedings, but Zimbabwean media outlets have linked the arrest to a prominent opposition figure who has previously faced multiple detentions in Harare for his political activism.

Associates of the detained politician have claimed that he may have been the victim of a setup. One associate alleged that he had been contacted by individuals claiming to represent a Congolese political group offering support for his pro-democracy work in Zimbabwe. They assert that South African police intercepted him after this meeting.

These allegations have raised concerns that Zimbabwean intelligence agencies could have been involved in a cross-border sting operation aimed at silencing outspoken critics of the Harare government.

The arrest has sparked widespread debate among regional observers and human rights organizations.

Analysts say the case highlights sensitive issues surrounding political persecution, regional security, and the movement of explosives across Southern Africa’s borders. It also places pressure on both South African law enforcement agencies, who must demonstrate transparency in their investigation, and Zimbabwe’s opposition, who are calling for the international community to ensure that the former MP’s rights are upheld.

As the suspects await their court appearance, both South African and Zimbabwean authorities have remained tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation.

Charges Filed

The two men are currently facing charges of illegal possession of explosives under South Africa’s Explosives Act. This law prohibits any person from possessing, transporting, or dealing in explosives without proper authorization or a valid license.

The outcome of Monday’s court appearance is expected to shed more light on the nature of the charges, the origins of the explosives, and whether the case carries broader political implications for relations between Pretoria and Harare.

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Avumile Seela

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