MAMELODI EAST – Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested a 37-year-old suspect in Mamelodi East, recovering unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and a stolen vehicle during an intelligence-driven operation in Tshwane on Thursday, 3 September 2026.
According to a South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, the operation was launched at approximately 12:30 targeting a male suspect wanted in connection with business robbery and cash-in-transit robbery investigations. The suspect was the subject of two active cases registered at Pretoria Central SAPS, with outstanding warrants of arrest for business robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Acting on received intelligence, SAPS members placed a residence in Sealetsa Street, Vista View, Mamelodi East, under surveillance. Upon confirming the suspect’s presence at the premises, officers tactically approached and executed a search of the property.
During the search of the house, authorities recovered a hunting rifle with its serial number filed off, accompanied by 49 rounds of live ammunition and one magazine. Officers also seized a 9mm pistol, along with 22 rounds of ammunition and two additional magazines.
The search was subsequently extended to the yard, where a white Toyota Hilux was discovered parked on the premises. Preliminary investigations conducted at the scene confirmed that the vehicle had been previously reported stolen in Jabulane, Soweto. A blue BMW, also located on the property, was searched, yielding additional ammunition believed to be compatible with the recovered rifle.
The suspect was taken into custody and detained at the Mamelodi East SAPS facility. In addition to the existing warrants, he now faces further charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.
The SAPS spokesperson confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspect and the recovered firearms can be linked to other criminal activities.
