A collaborative effort by multiple South African Police Service (SAPS) units in the Western Cape culminated in the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of four firearms, including a rifle, on Friday.
According to police reports, the Crime Intelligence unit received a tip-off regarding individuals from various provinces who had gathered in the Western Cape with the intention of executing a cash-in-transit robbery over the weekend.
Authorities identified the suspects in Kraaifontein and placed them under surveillance starting Wednesday. On Friday, 13 March 2026, officers observed the group traveling towards the Paarl CBD. Members of the Winelands Highway Patrol and the Maitland Flying Squad were alerted and subsequently stopped a white Toyota Fortuner in Paarl.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off, along with 14 rounds of ammunition.
Following the stop, investigators received information that additional firearms were being stored at a residence linked to one of the suspects in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein. A search warrant was executed at the premises, where officers discovered two more 9mm pistols, each accompanied by 14 rounds of ammunition. Also found were an AK-47 rifle loaded with 79 rounds of rifle ammunition, an additional 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a cellular phone, and R8,750 in cash.
The five male suspects, aged between 30 and 39, hail from Mqanduli, Klerksdorp, Rustenburg, Paarl, and Wallacedene. They have been charged with the possession of prohibited and unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The group is scheduled to make their first appearance before the Kuilsriver Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 March 2026.
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