Six ‘Zama Zamas’ arrested with explosive devices in Bothaville

Police recently arrested six suspected Zama Zamas with various explosive devices during a stop and searched operation in Bothaville.

THE SUSPECTS WERE STOP DURING A STOP AND SEARCH OPERATION

“Bothaville police were busy with routine stop and search operation on R30 road on Friday when they stopped a white Toyota Corolla sedan with North West registration,” said Colonel Thandi Mbambo. 

She said police searched the vehicle with six occupants.

“Police found various explosive devices as well as pairs of boots, harmers, and mercury.” 

The six suspects, aged between 27 and 44, are from Khuma in Stilfontein, North West.

“The suspects were arrested and will appear in Bothaville Magistrate Court on Monday, 26 July 2021, on a charge of possession of explosives.”

In an unrelated incident, a police officer was killed in a shooting with Cash in Transit (CIT) robbers on Friday in Brakpan. 

Two robbers were also killed in the gunfire exchange, while 19 others with explosives and firearms were arrested.

Colonel Brenda Muridili, police spokesperson, said just after 07:30 on Friday, authorities executed an operational plan based on information received from Crime Intelligence.

The information led a multi-disciplinary team of officers to a safe house in Dalpark, Brakpan in Gauteng, where the team confronted a group of suspects allegedly conspiring to commit a cash-in-transit robbery.

Upon arrival at the house, she said a shootout ensued between the team and the suspects, with some of the suspects fleeing the scene.

Two of the suspects were shot and killed in the shooting. A police vehicle with two members pursued a suspect who hijacked a VW Golf to flee the scene to the corner of Jubilee and Snyman Streets.

“Another shootout ensued between the suspect and the police officers where a police constable was shot. The officer died from his injuries on the scene while the suspect fled on foot.”

Muridili furthermore said the team managed to arrested 19 suspects. Police confiscated nine vehicles and nine firearms.

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“Four of the nine vehicles have been positively identified as stolen/hijacked.

“Seven of the nine firearms were rifles. Four AK47 and three R5 rifles and two were pistols. A bag containing live ammunition and explosives with the value still to be determined also confiscated.”