The South African Police Service (SAPS) Anti-Kidnapping Task Team has dealt a significant blow to a syndicate involved in the trafficking of unlicensed firearms, following a high-profile arrest in Meyersdal, Johannesburg.
In an intelligence-driven operation on Monday evening (28 July 2025), a multi-unit collaboration—including SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit (PIU), Johannesburg K9 Unit, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), and private security forces—resulted in the apprehension of two suspects aged 34 and 45.
The arrests followed days of coordinated surveillance and intelligence-gathering across multiple provinces, where law enforcement identified individuals involved in the illicit movement of firearms. The tactical takedown occurred as the suspects collected a cache of weapons in Meyersdal.
A search of the suspects’ possession revealed 30 unlicensed 9mm firearms. Further investigations confirmed that the weapons were destined for the Western Cape, with the suspects intending to transport the illegal firearms themselves.
Authorities have linked both individuals to multiple criminal cases in Gauteng and the Western Cape. They remain in police custody and face numerous charges, including illegal possession of firearms and trafficking of unlicensed weapons.
SAPS has stated that investigations are ongoing to dismantle the broader network of the firearms trafficking syndicate.
