Zimbabwean men, Muzama Shingirirai (34) and Lovejoy Tavenga (39), were arrested for illegal possession of mercury afPakaipa | Two Zimbabwean men, Muzama Shingirirai (34) and Lovejoy Tavenga (39), were arrested for illegal possession of mercury after police received information about their suspicious vehicle.
On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, around 3:20pm, SAPS Crime Intelligence officers and the Middelburg Flying Squad spotted their white BMW with Gauteng registration plates on the N4 near Bethal offramp. They followed the car and stopped it close to the Van Dyk offramp.
When officers searched the vehicle, they discovered a plastic bag in the boot containing three bottles filled with a silver liquid, suspected to be mercury. Police believe the mercury was possibly on its way to Gauteng Province.
The two suspects appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of illegal possession of mercury. Their case was postponed to 18 September 2025 for further investigation, and they remain in custody.
In South Africa, anyone found in possession of mercury can face a fine of up to R5 million, a prison sentence of up to five years, or both.
