GAUTENG – A significant cache of illegal firearms, including an AK-47 and an R4 rifle, was seized by the National Tracking and Tracing Team following a fierce shootout in Tembisa South. The exchange of gunfire, conducted under the banner of #OperationBoisa, left six armed suspects hospitalized and one in custody, marking a decisive intervention for law enforcement in the Ekurhuleni District.
The confrontation unfolded on Monday, 24 August 2026, at approximately 20:40. Acting on credible intelligence, specialized police units tracked a group of suspects to the Ehlanzeni Hostel area in Tembisa South. The individuals were observed navigating the neighborhood in a convoy of three vehicles: a white T-Cross, a silver Etios, and a charcoal Starlet.
Tensions escalated rapidly when the suspects allegedly opened fire on the approaching officers. Law enforcement personnel responded with immediate and decisive return fire along Andrew Mapeto Drive, situated adjacent to a local bus stop in the Sebenza precinct.
The intense gun battle resulted in six suspects being struck by gunfire. Three of these individuals suffered critical injuries and were rushed to a medical facility for urgent treatment, while the remaining three sustained minor wounds and were also transported to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities successfully took an additional suspect into custody at the scene without sustaining any physical injuries.
Miraculously, no police officers were harmed during the tactical operation, although official state vehicles sustained damage in the crossfire. A thorough sweep of the Andrew Mapeto Drive crime scene yielded a substantial arsenal. Officers recovered one AK-47 rifle, one R4 rifle, and two pistols, accompanied by multiple magazines, 75 live rounds of rifle ammunition, and 34 live rounds of pistol ammunition.
Ekurhuleni District Commissioner, Major General Anna Sithole, publicly praised the tactical team for their rapid and effective response. She highlighted their critical role in executing the arrests and maintaining public safety throughout the Ekurhuleni District.
The seized firearms and ammunition have been secured as evidence, and the hospitalized suspects remain under police guard as the investigation proceeds.
