Pictures and Story: SAPS
Three suspects have been arrested after police uncovered a large cache of explosives during an intelligence-driven operation in Matholesville, Roodepoort, raising concerns over the possible supply of explosive materials to organised criminal groups involved in ATM bombings, cash-in-transit robberies and illegal mining.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, by the South African Police Service in Gauteng together with private security companies and other law-enforcement stakeholders. According to police, the operation followed intelligence regarding a suspected supplier who was allegedly providing explosives to individuals believed to be involved in serious and organised crimes across the province.
A multidisciplinary team consisting of SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Ivory Park Task Team, Gauteng Traffic SLEU, private security partners and members of the West Rand Explosives Unit acted on the information and proceeded to a premises in Matholesville. When officers arrived at the property, they found two men and a woman inside and immediately began searching the premises.
During the search, police discovered 88 safety fuses, 62 blasting cartridges and approximately 400 metres of detonating cord. The recovered explosives have an estimated street value of R160 000 and were subsequently secured by members of the explosives unit for further investigation and examination. Police believe the recovered material may have been intended for use in criminal activities where explosives are commonly used, including the bombing of ATMs, cash-in-transit heists and illegal mining operations. Investigators are now working to establish where the explosives originated, how they were obtained and whether they had already been supplied to other individuals or criminal groups.
The three suspects, who police identified as Zimbabwean nationals, were arrested for possession of explosives and are expected to appear before court soon. Their arrest forms part of continuing efforts by law-enforcement agencies to disrupt the supply chains that allegedly provide organised criminal groups with equipment and materials used during violent crimes. A white Toyota Etios displaying false registration plates was also found at the premises and seized by police. The vehicle will undergo further investigation to establish its ownership, determine why false registration plates were being used and whether it can be linked to other criminal incidents under investigation.
Acting Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana commended the officers and security partners who participated in the operation, saying cooperation between different agencies remained critical in addressing serious organised crime. He said the recovery demonstrated the value of intelligence-led policing and information-sharing between the police, private security sector and other law-enforcement structures. “ATM bombings and CIT robberies remain a serious threat in Gauteng. This operation demonstrates the importance of collaboration between SAPS, private security and other stakeholders in disrupting organised criminal activities,” said Kekana.
ATM bombings and cash-in-transit robberies often place security personnel, police officers and members of the public at risk, particularly when explosives and high-powered weapons are involved. Police have therefore intensified intelligence-driven operations aimed not only at arresting suspects directly involved in such crimes, but also at identifying people allegedly responsible for supplying weapons, explosives, vehicles and other resources used by criminal groups.
The recovery in Matholesville is expected to form part of a broader investigation into whether the suspects may be connected to previous incidents in Gauteng. Detectives will also investigate possible links to illegal mining networks, where explosives are sometimes unlawfully obtained and used during underground mining activities. Police have not yet disclosed whether further arrests are expected as part of the investigation. However, authorities confirmed that investigations remain ongoing to determine whether the suspects can be linked to other ATM bombing, cash-in-transit robbery or illegal mining cases reported in Gauteng.
SAPS said operations targeting organised criminal networks would continue across the province, with intelligence gathering and cooperation between law-enforcement agencies expected to remain central to efforts aimed at preventing violent crimes before they occur.
