News / Regional
Bomb kills Zim man in SA
02 Dec 2011 at 05:52hrs | Views
A ZIMBABWEAN man was on Tuesday killed when a mortar bomb, which he had picked near a scrap yard, in Musina town, South Africa, exploded in his hands.
Limpopo senior police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto yesterday confirmed the incident and said investigations were in progress.
She said the man's body had been taken to Musina government hospital mortuary.
His relatives are still to identify him.
"According to information received, two unknown men who were travelling in a pickup truck arrived at a scrap metal yard in Musina on Tuesday morning at approximately 10:00am, wanting to sell the mortar bombs they were carrying in their vehicle," said Lt Col Otto said.
"A worker at the scrap yard realised that the materials were dangerous and refused to buy it and the two men left but approximately a kilometre from the scrap yard they disposed of the bomb in the field.
"Later in the day two Zimbabwean men were walking in the field when they came across the bomb lying in the field. Thinking it to be scrap metal the men picked it up. The deceased then fiddled with the mortar and it exploded in his hands. He was killed instantly.
"His friend escaped unhurt and rushed to make a report to the police. The body was then taken to Musina Government hospital mortuary."
She said members from the Explosives Unit of the SAPS had since been dispatched to the scene.
She said the team was currently sweeping the area and to ensure that all discarded mortars are recovered and destroyed.
"We are yet to establish the origins of the mortars. Police investigations into the incident are continuing," she said.
Lt Col Otto urged people to report any suspicious objects to the police rather than becoming adventurous as they risked their lives.
The incident comes shortly after another 30- year-old man from Beitbridge had his legs amputated when a landmine exploded in Makhadho area while he was toughening roofing timber with fire.
Limpopo senior police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto yesterday confirmed the incident and said investigations were in progress.
She said the man's body had been taken to Musina government hospital mortuary.
His relatives are still to identify him.
"According to information received, two unknown men who were travelling in a pickup truck arrived at a scrap metal yard in Musina on Tuesday morning at approximately 10:00am, wanting to sell the mortar bombs they were carrying in their vehicle," said Lt Col Otto said.
"A worker at the scrap yard realised that the materials were dangerous and refused to buy it and the two men left but approximately a kilometre from the scrap yard they disposed of the bomb in the field.
"Later in the day two Zimbabwean men were walking in the field when they came across the bomb lying in the field. Thinking it to be scrap metal the men picked it up. The deceased then fiddled with the mortar and it exploded in his hands. He was killed instantly.
"His friend escaped unhurt and rushed to make a report to the police. The body was then taken to Musina Government hospital mortuary."
She said members from the Explosives Unit of the SAPS had since been dispatched to the scene.
She said the team was currently sweeping the area and to ensure that all discarded mortars are recovered and destroyed.
"We are yet to establish the origins of the mortars. Police investigations into the incident are continuing," she said.
Lt Col Otto urged people to report any suspicious objects to the police rather than becoming adventurous as they risked their lives.
The incident comes shortly after another 30- year-old man from Beitbridge had his legs amputated when a landmine exploded in Makhadho area while he was toughening roofing timber with fire.
Source - TH
