BLOEMFONTEIN — A 28-year-old man is in police custody following a Bloemfontein grenade arrest after officers uncovered a suspected stolen military hand grenade and an imitation firearm during a targeted raid.
The incident unfolded on Saturday, 17 October 2026, when an intelligence-led operation was launched to track down a suspect allegedly in possession of an illegal firearm. Three members of the Public Order Policing (POP) Unit, working alongside a sergeant from the Diving Unit who were officially on duty, converged on the identified premises in the city.
Upon searching the property, officers located an informal structure situated at the back of the main house, where they encountered the suspect. A subsequent search of the premises yielded a black imitation firearm marked with the description “GLOCK C15.” The replica weapon was found without a magazine or trigger. Additionally, officers discovered a used hand grenade concealed inside a bag.
To properly assess the threat and origin of the recovered items, the SAPS Bomb and Explosives Unit and the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) were summoned to the scene.
According to a spokesperson for the SAPS Bomb and Explosives Unit, forensic examination confirmed that the explosive device was an M26 hand-practice grenade that had already been deployed. The spokesperson detailed that the grenade was missing its detonator and safety lever, and no visible lot number was present on the casing.
Furthermore, a spokesperson for the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) highlighted the legal implications of the discovery, confirming that the possession of this specific type of military-grade grenade is strictly restricted. Access is limited exclusively to authorized members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and only with the necessary official permissions.
Because the suspect is a civilian and the circumstances surrounding his acquisition of the device remain unexplained, authorities suspect the explosive constitutes stolen property.
The 28-year-old suspect was immediately arrested and detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property. Both the imitation GLOCK C15 and the M26 hand grenade were seized as evidence and booked in for further forensic investigation.
Investigations into the origin of the suspected stolen military equipment are ongoing, and the suspect is expected to make his first court appearance soon to face the charges.
