A police operation in Mthatha has led to the arrest of a 29-year-old man after officers uncovered a cache of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and SAPS-issued gear. The early morning raid was carried out by Mthatha Central Crime Prevention at a homestead in the New Payne locality. The suspect is due to appear in court soon.
What happened?
A 29-year-old man has been arrested in Mthatha after members of the SAPS Mthatha Central Crime Prevention unit uncovered unlicensed firearms and police-issued equipment at his residence in New Payne locality.
The arrest took place around 05:30 on Thursday, 22 January 2026. Police were acting on information received and conducted a search of the suspect’s room, which led to the recovery of multiple firearms, ammunition, and South African Police Service (SAPS) uniform pieces.
The man is expected to appear before the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court.
Why it matters to you
The operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of illegal firearms in the OR Tambo District. Police believe the weapons and uniforms could be linked to other serious crimes, including possible courier robberies.
A thorough investigation is underway, including ballistic testing of the recovered firearms. Authorities are also checking links to previous criminal cases in other provinces.
What was recovered
The following items were seized during the early morning operation:
- One .38 revolver with erased serial number
- One gold and silver Z88 pistol with no serial number
- One R1 rifle with two serial numbers
- One Girsan 9mm pistol (serial number intact)
- Live rifle ammunition
- Three SAPS field dress shirts
- One SAPS bulletproof vest
- Items believed to be stolen from a courier service
Police confirmed that:
- The Girsan 9mm pistol is linked to a case opened in Ixopo (KZN) in November 2025.
- The bulletproof vest belongs to a SAPS member stationed in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Official response
OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, praised the police team for their swift and effective response.
“This is a significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to remove illegal firearms from our communities,” he said. “We will not rest until this threat is decisively curtailed.”
Community impact
This case outlines concerns over the misuse of police uniforms and equipment in criminal activity. By posing as law enforcement, suspects can evade detection or commit further crimes. Police are investigating whether the suspect is part of a broader network.
