The police explosives unit removed at least 15 mortars from a Pretoria West scrap dealership after one exploded in the dealer's face, killing him instantly.
The 110mm World War 2 mortar exploded yesterday as the dealer cut it up for copper and brass.
Pieces of his flesh were sent flying into the road and onto a house across the street.
His assistant is recovering in hospital.
Police evacuated 12 houses close to the dealership on Rebecca Street as bomb experts feared further explosions.
A black backpack containing five mortars was dropped by the sellers after the explosion, a few metres from a primary school.
"The bomb went off as [the sellers] walked away from the dealership ... They dropped the bag and ran up the street," tow-truck driver Benny van der Merwe said.
Lekhu Tshaka, who lives opposite the scrap dealership, said pieces of flesh were stuck on the walls and windows of his house.
"I only see this in movies. There was this loud explosion as I walked my girlfriend out of our gate. We immediately took cover, thinking it was a shooting. A man ran out of the dealership checking himself for any injuries," said Tshaka.
Gauteng police spokesman Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said six mortars were live and were being investigated. Police were searching for the men who sold the weapons.
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