Two Arrested For Illegal Firearms in Ngcengane and Ngqeleni

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with unlicensed and prohibited firearms in different parts of the OR Tambo District. The arrests took place on 19 and 21 January 2026 in Ngcengane A/A Mthatha, Ngqeleni and Lusikisiki. Police say the seizures are part of ongoing operations to remove illegal guns from rural communities.

What Happened

Police in the OR Tambo District arrested two suspects in separate incidents during the early hours of Wednesday, 21 January 2026, for possession of unlicensed and prohibited firearms.

In Ngcengane, near Mthatha, the OR Tambo Stock Theft Prevention Task Team arrested a 28-year-old man at his homestead in Lwandlana locality. He was found with two unlicensed pistols , one of them linked to a theft case in Ngcobo dating back to 2001.

In a separate case in Ngqeleni, the District Task Team arrested a 31-year-old man in Khuleka locality for possession of a prohibited homemade shotgun, a 9mm pistol, live rounds, and three shotgun shells.

Community Impact

 The confiscated weapons include:

• A 9mm Taurus pistol with erased serial number and two live rounds
• A CZ 7.65–9mm pistol with intact serial number (no ammunition)
• A prohibited homemade shotgun
• A 9mm pistol with live rounds
• Three shotgun shells

Police say the removal of these firearms supports ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence and rural crime in the OR Tambo District.

Official Response

According to OR Tambo District police, both operations were intelligence-driven and backed by legal search warrants.

“We will continue to work hard in confiscating illegal or prohibited firearms for the safety of all in the district,” said Major General Norman Modishana, OR Tambo District Commissioner.

In Lusikisiki, a third suspect , aged 37 was granted R500 bail by the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 January 2026, after being arrested for unlawful possession of an unlicensed shotgun. His next court appearance is set for 15 April 2026.