Mthatha Central SAPS Crime Prevention members and OR Tambo Stock Theft Prevention Task Team in the Eastern Cape arrested two male suspects, aged 27 and 39, on Friday, 23 January 2026, in two separate incidents, one for unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition whilst the other for possession of drugs.
Information was received about a 27-year-old male suspect alleged to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm. Members attached to the Stock Theft Prevention Task Team pounced on the suspect’s homestead in Lwandlana locality, Ngcengane A/A at about 05:30 and recovered a firearm (intact serial number) having one live round of ammunition. Upon firearm circulation, the firearm was never reported as lost or stolen. The 27-year-old male suspect was arrested on the spot as he failed to produce a valid licence to possess such a firearm.
In the second unrelated incident, at about 12:30 the same day, the Mthatha Central Crime Prevention members conduced heightened visibility patrols in Highbury locality – Mthatha, when they spotted a driver in a white VW Polo Vivo vehicle driving recklessly and ultimately stopped it. Upon searching the 39-year-old male driver and the vehicle itself, tik drugs (Crystal Meth) was found inside the car and also in his pockets including an undisclosed amount of money believed to be the proceeds of drug sales.
The duo is set to appear before the Mthatha Magistrates Court on Monday, 26 January 2026, facing their respective charges ranging from unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of drugs and dealing in drugs.
