A large arms cache comprising missiles and mortar bombs was destroyed in Mozambique recently as part of an exercise to rid the country of weapons, the South African Police Services (SAPS) said on Thursday.
SAPS Director Sally de Beer said stockpiles of explosives and other armaments were recovered in various parts of Mozambique during a 14-day operation, which started on October 20.
”Operation Rachel” is a joint initiative between the SAPS and their Mozambican counterparts to identify and destroy arms in Mozambique.
Among the arms destroyed were 82 missiles, 70 mortar bombs, 42 grenade launchers, 4,5 million rounds of ammunition, 630 ammunition belts, 35 detonators and 1182 firearms.
Director Mike Fryer, who headed the operation, described the exercise as a ”huge success”.
”The co-operation and camaraderie between us and our Mozambican counterparts is a major contribution factor to the successes we have achieved,” he said in a statement. – Sapa