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OR Tambo police arrested two men, aged 27 and 28, in Sulenkama and Port St John’s on Tuesday, 21 October 2025. The arrests follow separate incidents involving stolen livestock and an unlicensed firearm.
What Happened
Police in Sulenkama, Qumbu, acted on a tip-off around 15:00 on Tuesday, 21 October 2025. They discovered a 28-year-old man at his Maladini homestead shearing sheep believed to be stolen. Officers recovered thirteen sheep, later confirmed to have been taken from Tsilithwa locality on Friday, 10 October 2025.
In a separate operation in Port St John’s, police launched an intelligence-driven search from 21 to 22 October 2025. At about 04:00, officers arrested a 27-year-old man from Nonyevu Township for possessing an unlicensed 9mm pistol. Investigations revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen in Brakpan, Johannesburg.
Official Response
Police confirmed both suspects were detained and will soon appear before their respective Magistrate’s Courts. An OR Tambo District spokesperson praised the swift police response and urged communities to continue reporting suspicious activities.
Community Impact
Local residents in both Sulenkama and Port St John’s welcomed the arrests, saying they brought a sense of safety back to their areas. Stock theft and illegal firearms have long been concerns in rural Eastern Cape communities. The latest operations show police determination to curb these crimes and strengthen trust between officers and residents.
