Cape Town – A 30-year-old undocumented Mozambican national who owns a spaza shop in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga, was arrested on Wednesday after police recovered a stolen firearm linked to a 2021 case.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the suspect was apprehended during a joint operation led by the Secunda-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, with support from the Secunda K9 Unit.
“Information was received by the Hawks on 24 November 2025 about the Mozambican national, who operates a spaza shop and is in possession of a firearm in Embalenhle gate 6,” SAPS said.
Following the tip-off, officers conducted continuous surveillance before applying for and obtaining a search warrant.
#sapsHAWKS Mpumalanga: A 30yr-old undocumented Mozambican spaza shop owner was arrested by the Secunda based #Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation in partnership with Secunda K9 Unit for possession of a reported stolen firearm in Embalenhle on Wednesday, 03/12.
The… pic.twitter.com/Q6R2efE7Hv
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 4, 2025
“The Hawks Organised Crime Investigation gathered the necessary information and applied for a search warrant that was granted,” the statement read.
On 3 December, officers moved in to execute the warrant and discovered a firearm reported stolen in Embalenhle in March 2021.
“The firearm was recovered with the serial number still clearly visible,” SAPS said. Six live rounds of ammunition were also seized.
The weapon will undergo ballistic testing “to ascertain if it was used in the commission of other crimes,” authorities added.
The suspect was arrested on the scene and is expected to appear in the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 4 December 2025, on charges relating to possession of a stolen firearm and ammunition.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
