Port St. John’s: A coordinated intelligence-driven operation by SAPS Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and Combat units has led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and military-grade equipment in Port St. John’s from 12 to 13 June 2025.

According to South African Police Service, acting on credible intelligence regarding illegal firearms linked to taxi violence and cash-in-transit robberies, the TRT Recce Team, supported by OR Tambo and Joe Gqabi Combat Teams, executed search warrants at two homesteads in Tombo A/A and Mthumbane.

At the first address (Tombo A/A), a female suspect (46) presented a firearm license for a shotgun and 9mm pistol but failed to produce a competency certificate or valid documentation for ammunition. Her male co-accused, a 52-year-old, was found in possession of an unlicensed shotgun. Exhibits seized are as follows: 1 x Shotgun, 1 x 9mm Pistol, 1 x Pistol Magazine, 33 x 9mm Cartridges, and 5 x Shotgun Shells.

At the second address in Mthumbane, a 38-year-old female suspect was found with a wooden case containing multiple rifles. She claimed no knowledge of the firearms, stating they belonged to her husband. Exhibits seized are as follows: 10 x AK-47 Rifles, 19 x Magazines, 100 x 7.62 Cartridges, 10 x Cleaning Kits, 4 x 9mm Pouches, and 10 x Oil Canisters.

All three suspects face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and contravention of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000). They are scheduled to appear before the Port St. John’s Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, commended the teams, “This operation underscores SAPS’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks that terrorize our communities. The seizure of weapons, especially military-style rifles, disrupts planned violent crimes and enhances public safety. We urge communities to report illegal firearms anonymously via Crime Stop.”