Two Men Arrested for Possession of Unlicensed Firearms in Bhityi

An intelligence-led operation by the Tactical Response Team (TRT) in Bhityi, Eastern Cape, has led to the arrest of two men found in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition during a crackdown on illegal weapons.

The arrests took place on Friday, 9 May 2025, after police received actionable intelligence about illegal firearms being kept at two separate premises in Mpande village, under Bhityi policing jurisdiction.

According to the South African Police Service, officers, armed with a search warrant, raided the first location where they found a 23-year-old man in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He was immediately taken into custody.

The team then proceeded to a second house in the same area. There, a 39-year-old man was found outside his home and, upon being searched, was found with an unlicensed revolver and matching ammunition.

Both weapons have been seized and will undergo ballistic testing to establish whether they are linked to other criminal activities.

Eastern Cape SAPS has confirmed that the suspects will appear at the Bhityi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 12 May 2025, facing charges related to possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ridding communities of illegal weapons. “The collection of intelligence information is a critical tool in our efforts to reduce firearm-related crimes,” said a police spokesperson. “Operations like this are proof of the effectiveness of joint intelligence and tactical response.”

The arrests come as law enforcement intensifies its crackdown on illegal firearms in hotspot areas throughout the province.

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