In a significant operation conducted by the Mpumalanga police, two suspects were
apprehended for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The arrests took
place during a sting operation in Kwamhlanga on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, around
2:00 AM.

According to the media statement issued by the office of the Provincial Commissioner in
Mpumalanga, the Kwamhlanga Crime Intelligence Unit provided valuable information
regarding the whereabouts of individuals with firearms. Acting on this intelligence, the
Mpumalanga Provincial Task Team, established to combat ATM bombings and Drop-In-
Safe robberies conducted a tactical operation in the Moloto residential area.

Upon arrival, the team searched a house and a shack on the premises, where they
discovered two pistols and a substantial amount of ammunition, including ammunition
for a rifle. Notably, the serial number on one of the pistols had been filed off.

The two suspects, aged 26 and 47, did not have valid firearm licenses or permission to
possess the ammunition, leading to their immediate arrest and subsequent charges.

The confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine if they were
previously used in the commission of any crimes.

Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the Provincial Commissioner of
the SAPS in Mpumalanga, emphasized the police’s unwavering commitment to
addressing the proliferation of firearms in the province. “Fighting crime remains our
primary objective, and the circulation of unlicensed firearms has a dire and negative
impact on violent crimes; hence, we are doing our best to address this challenge,”
stated the General.

The two suspects are expected to appear before the Kwamhlanga Magistrate’s Court on
Wednesday, March 27, 2024, to face charges related to the possession of unlicensed