Three suspects have been arrested for being in possession of illegal firearms, ammunition, and military-grade equipment in Port St. John’s, Eastern Cape.
A coordinated intelligence-driven operation by SAPS Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and Combat units executed search warrants at two homesteads in Tombo A/A and Mthumbane.
The illegal firearms are allegedly linked to taxi violence and cash-in-transit robberies.
ILLEGAL FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION RECOVERED
The team members made their first stop at Tombo A/A, where they found the first suspect, a 46-year-old female who failed to produce valid documentation for ammunition, even though she had a firearm license.
Her counterpart, a 52-year-old male, was found in possession of an unlicensed shotgun.
The third suspect, a 38-year-old female, was found with a wooden case containing multiple rifles in Mthumbane.
Initially, she claimed she had no knowledge of the firearms and pinned them on her husband.
All three suspects are facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and Contravention of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000).
They will make their court appearance at the Port St. John’s Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, commended the team’s work ethic in combating crime.
“This operation underscores SAPS’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks that terrorise our communities. The seizure of weapons, especially military-style rifles, disrupts planned violent crimes and enhances public safety. We urge communities to report illegal firearms anonymously via Crime Stop,” said General Kupiso.
WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ILLICIT PROCESSING OF SUSPECTED PRECIOUS MINERALS
A 25-year-old female Mozambican national was arrested for illegal processing of suspected precious minerals on Friday, 13 June 2025.
The Mopani District Illicit Mining Task Team in Limpopo were patrolling along the Nsami River in Mavalani Village when they discovered five individuals processing gold in the river.
Upon approaching the suspects, they all fled in different directions; however, the female suspect was caught and apprehended.
How do you think law enforcement can effectively combat the illegal firearms trade in South Africa?
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