A 27-year-old man is in custody after a targeted operation by the OR Tambo Stock Theft Prevention Task Team led to the discovery of an illegal firearm on Friday morning, 23 January 2026.
Acting on received intelligence, task team members descended on a homestead in the Lwandlana locality, Ngcengane Administrative Area, at approximately 05:30. During the raid, they successfully recovered a firearm with its serial number intact. The weapon was loaded with one live round of ammunition.
Upon conducting an initial firearm circulation check, authorities confirmed the weapon had not been reported as lost or stolen. The suspect was arrested on the spot after he could not produce a valid license to possess the firearm.
The man is set to appear before the Mthatha Magistrates Court on Monday, 26 January 2026, facing charges of unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.