The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized 537 licensed firearms and ammunition from a gun dealer in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, after uncovering serious non-compliance with the Firearms Control Act.

The operation followed a week-long national compliance drive in which SAPS conducted 3,728 inspections at business premises, including gun dealerships and security companies, to enforce the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. The Act places strict legal obligations on licence holders to ensure safe storage, proper authorisation and full accountability for all licensed firearms and ammunition.

According to police, the National Tracking and Tracing Task Team, operating under Operation Buyisa, arrested a 55-year-old gun dealer after investigations revealed irregular firearm storage practices.

A preliminary report indicates that the team acted on information about a security company in Middelburg allegedly operating with expired firearm licences. This led investigators to a plot on the outskirts of eMalahleni, where a large cache of licensed firearms and ammunition was discovered.

The site was confirmed to be an unlicensed storage facility. Police allege the gun dealer had run out of storage space at the registered business premises and unlawfully stored the firearms at the plot.

SAPS reminded licensed gun owners and institutions that Section 120(1) of the Firearms Control Act makes it a criminal offence to:

• Contravene or fail to comply with any provision of the Act

• Breach conditions of a licence, permit or authorisation

• Disregard any lawful notice or requirement issued under the Act

Police said regular firearm compliance inspections are essential to ensure accountability and accurate record-keeping of licensed firearms and ammunition, and to prevent illegal circulation of weapons.

The suspect is expected to face charges related to the unlawful storage and non-compliance with firearm regulations.