A number of illegal explosive devices were found on a farm belonging to a former military instructor near Warden over the weekend, eastern Free State police said on Tuesday.
Captain Motarafi Ntepe said the devices were uncovered during a search of the farmhouse on Saturday. The collection of weapons included landmines and ground-to-air projectiles used during military training. Some had been deactivated.
The farm owner was a former military instructor in Namibia, Ntepe said.
He was not arrested immediately. However, area police commissioner Eric Nkuna ordered his arrest on Tuesday.
He was to be charged with the unauthorised possession of explosives and explosive devices, Ntepe said.
National spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said the police were convinced that no link existed between the former military instructor, the explosives found and the alleged rightwing plot to overthrow the government.
Twenty-three men have already been arrested and are due to go on trial in May in connection with the alleged plot. – Sapa