A major breakthrough in the fight against violent crime was achieved this week when a coordinated intelligence-led operation by SAPS Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and Combat units led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of high-powered firearms and ammunition.
The operation, conducted between 12 and 13 June 2025, targeted two homesteads in the Tombo A/A and Mthumbane areas following intelligence linking the premises to illegal firearms used in taxi-related violence and cash-in-transit robberies.
“At the first address in Tombo A/A, a 46-year-old woman presented a license for a shotgun and a 9mm pistol but failed to produce a competency certificate or valid documentation for the ammunition,” said SAPS Eastern Cape spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana. “A 52-year-old male suspect at the same location was found in possession of an unlicensed shotgun.”
Items seized from this property included one shotgun, one 9mm pistol, one pistol magazine, 33 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and five shotgun shells.
At the second location in Mthumbane, a 38-year-old woman was discovered with a wooden case containing several rifles. She claimed the firearms belonged to her husband and denied any knowledge of their presence.
Officers recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 19 magazines, 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 10 cleaning kits, four 9mm pouches, and 10 oil canisters from the site.
All three suspects have been charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as contravention of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000). They are expected to appear before the Port St. John’s Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
Acting Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, praised the operation, saying it demonstrated SAPS’s commitment to rooting out armed criminal networks. “The seizure of these military-grade weapons has dealt a significant blow to planned violent crimes. We continue to urge communities to report illegal firearms anonymously through Crime Stop.”
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