Cape Town – A man was tragically killed on Thursday, 26 September 2024, in Mhluzi near Middelburg, following an explosion believed to have been caused by explosives he was handling.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has renewed calls for public caution, urging residents to avoid activities that could put their lives at risk.
According to Colonel Donald Mdhluli, SAPS spokesperson, the incident occurred in the afternoon, and although the victim has yet to be identified, preliminary investigations suggest he was carrying a bag containing suspected explosives when the blast occurred, leading to fatal injuries.
” Tragically, an explosion occurred while he was carrying a bag, causing injuries and ultimately leading to his untimely death,” said Mdhluli.
#sapsMP Man dies after explosion, police caution the public to refrain from picking up strange objects.
While the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident are still being probed, preliminary investigation suggests that the man, who is yet to be identified, was… pic.twitter.com/j9SFj0qKDq
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 28, 2024
The police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, with Mdhluli noting that this incident closely follows another explosion in Mhluzi just a month ago.
On 25 August 2024, two men were reportedly attempting to extract copper from what appeared to be a mortar round when it exploded. That incident claimed the life of a 40-year-old man and left another, aged 44, with serious injuries.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has warned the public to report any suspicious items to the police rather than attempting to handle them.
“We implore members of the public to exercise caution and avoid handling any unknown or suspicious objects they may come across,” said Mkhwanazi.
The SAPS is continuing its investigation to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further tragedies.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
