By Patience Gondo
A 42 year old Zimbabwean truck driver accused of attempting to smuggle explosives worth about R1 million into South Africa is expected to continue his bail application at the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Edgar Maroto, arrested earlier this month at the South African side of the Beitbridge Border Post, briefly appeared in court on Monday and his bail hearing was postponed to allow for further submissions.
He remains in custody.
Maroto was intercepted on 10 April during a coordinated operation involving the Border Management Authority and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
Officials allegedly uncovered a hidden compartment beneath the trailer of his truck during a routine inspection.
Inside the compartment, a large cache of explosives, including blasting cartridges, detonators and fuse reels, with an estimated value exceeding R1 million, was recovered.
Investigators suspect the consignment was destined for criminal activities such as illegal mining and cash-in-transit heists, which have been on the rise in parts of South Africa.
Maroto faces a charge of unlawful possession of explosives.
He first appeared in court on 13 April, when the matter was postponed to facilitate investigations and the preparation of his bail application.
The case has since heightened scrutiny on cross-border trafficking of hazardous materials, with authorities intensifying efforts to curb the movement of explosives believed to be fuelling organised crime.
Maroto is expected back in court on Wednesday, where arguments in his bail application are likely to be heard.