A ZIMBABWEAN woman will spend the next 10 years in jail after being convicted and sentenced for smuggling explosives worth R1.2 million into South Africa, the police said on Friday.
Linda Katiyo, 38, was sentenced by the Musina Regional Court in Limpopo on Thursday, according to the Hawks, the elite crime-fighting unit of the SAPS.
“On April 28, 2019, Linda Katiyo, 38, was en route from Zimbabwe to Gauteng province when she arrived at the Beitbridge port of entry checkpoint with her suspicious-looking bag. The border police became curious, thoroughly searched the bag and found miscellaneous explosives used at mines for illegal mining,” said Hawks Limpopo provincial spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke.
“The accused was arrested and made several court appearances without getting bail, until she was sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment.”
Maluleke said the Hawks were determined to deal with cross-border crime, particularly at ports of entry.
Last month, the SAPS in Gauteng arrested two suspects for alleged possession of cash and explosives.
The suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested at a house in Springs.
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele said an intelligence-driven operation led police to the Hlabane Street property at about 6am.
“Upon their arrival at the mentioned address, in an outside room, they found a man and a woman aged 34 and 25, respectively, and police requested to search the premises.
“During the search, 44 blasting cartridges were found, one roll of detonating cord, four connector cord fuses and more than R100 000 cash. Both suspects were arrested,” said Makhubele.
– African News Agency (ANA)
