Lenasia man arrested in Limpopo after Uber driver alerts police to explosives

Two men were arrested in Botlokwa, Limpopo, after an Uber driver alerted police to suspicious behaviour and officers found explosives in their possession.

Driver spots worrying behaviour during long-distance trip

The South African Police Service (Saps) in Botlokwa said the incident began when an Uber driver, who operates in Gauteng, became suspicious of two male passengers he was transporting from Johannesburg to Nzhelele near Makhado.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, 05 October 2026, near a filling station in Botlokwa along the N1 North, the police said.

Search yields explosives and arrest

Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said members of the Botlokwa Prevention Unit attended the scene after the driver reported a suspected hijacking. When officers searched the two men they recovered six water-gel explosives, three red-and-white insulated detonator cables and two pairs of gloves.

“The suspects, aged 49 and 29, were subsequently arrested,” Mashaba said.

The 49-year-old suspect is from Lenasia, Johannesburg, and the 29-year-old is from Ennerdale, Johannesburg. Both suspects are originally from the North West Province, the police added.

Charges and ongoing investigation

The suspects face charges of possession of explosives and are expected to appear before the Morebeng Magistrate’s Court soon, the police said. Authorities said the investigation is continuing to establish the intended use of the explosives and whether the suspects may be linked to other criminal activity.

Police praise vigilance

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, commended the Uber driver for remaining vigilant and immediately alerting police when he became suspicious, the police reported. Officers urged the public to report suspicious persons, vehicles or activities to the police rather than confronting suspected criminals.