In a significant crackdown on organized crime, the South African Police Service’s Tactical Response Team, supported by its Recce Team, conducted a series of coordinated raids in the OR Tambo District on Wednesday, resulting in the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of a cache of illegal weapons and stolen vehicles.
The operation, which spanned from 03:00 to 15:30 on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, targeted locations in Ngqeleni and Mthatha.
The team first executed a search warrant at a residence on Belmont Farm in Ngqeleni. There, they arrested a 44-year-old man after finding him in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol with a filed-off serial number, two magazines, and seven rounds of live ammunition.
Following his arrest, the suspect led investigators to a second individual, a 33-year-old man, in the Ngxokweni locality. A subsequent search of this suspect’s property yielded a significant arsenal of illegal and unlicensed firearms, including:
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A 9mm pistol (filed-off serial number) with two magazines.
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An R4 rifle (filed-off serial number) with two magazines.
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A Dashprodd rifle (filed-off serial number) with one magazine.
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167 R5 live rounds of ammunition.
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7 x 9mm live rounds.
Acting on further information developed during the operation, police proceeded to Ncambedlana Avenue in Mthatha. At this location, they recovered fifty-four (54) additional R5 live rounds and two white Volkswagen Polo vehicles. A 34-year-old male suspect was arrested at the scene for possession of the ammunition.
A preliminary check of the vehicles’ circulation records revealed that both were linked to ongoing police investigations. One Polo was connected to a case registered at the Marianhill SAPS in February 2025, while the other was linked to a case from the Durban Central police station dating back to September 2025.
The three arrested suspects, aged 33, 34, and 44, are scheduled to appear before their respective Magistrate’s Courts on Thursday, 30 October 2025, where they will face a range of charges related to the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and possession of suspected stolen property.
