FARM OF FIREPOWER: Cops bust 62-year-old with 13 Illegal guns and 1,000+ rounds

Arrested

Cape Town – Mpumalanga police seized 13 unlicensed firearms during an intelligence-driven operation at a farm in Carolina, leading to the arrest of a 62-year-old man on Tuesday, 13 January 2026.

According to police, officers conducted the operation at about 16:00 after receiving information about illegal firearms being kept on the property. During the search, police uncovered three self-manufactured guns, four rifles, one shotgun, five handguns and six pellet guns, all allegedly found in the suspect’s possession without valid licences.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the discovery highlighted the seriousness of the case.

“The firearms were found without any supporting licences or documentation, which is a serious contravention of the law,” Ndubane said.

Police also recovered ammunition of various calibres, totalling 1 080 live rounds, as well as 106 blank rounds. Ndubane said the suspect was unable to account for the large cache.

“When questioned, the suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the possession of the firearms and ammunition,” he said.

The suspect was immediately arrested and charged with the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He was expected to appear before the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. The case has been postponed to the1 9 January 2026 for a formal bail application.

Police said investigations are continuing and warned that more charges could follow. “The investigation is still at an early stage, and additional charges may be added as we proceed,” Ndubane said.

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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele

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