GQEBERHA – A crime intelligence-driven operation in the early hours of Thursday, 29 October 2026, led to the successful recovery of five unlicensed firearms and the arrest of four suspects in Walmer township, Gqeberha.
At approximately 01:00, members of the Motherwell and Mount Road Tactical Response Team (TRT) rendered tactical operational support to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit. The integrated team was executing a search warrant linked to a suspect wanted for multiple murder cases in the Gqeberha area.
Upon tactically approaching a residence on Sigcawu Street, police officials identified themselves and presented the search warrant. During the search, officers discovered three males sleeping in one room with three firearms in their possession. A fourth firearm was recovered in a separate room, and a fifth weapon was also seized during the operation.
The suspects, aged between 21 and 62 years failed to produce licences for the firearms and were immediately arrested.
The recovered exhibits include one PX1022R (reported stolen in Walmer); one disassembled .22 Browning pistol (serial number filed off) with two live rounds of ammunition; one Girson MC 19 9mm pistol (serial number filed off) with sixteen live rounds in the magazine; one .38 Special Revolver (serial number filed off) with 24 live rounds of ammunition; and one MOD 92 firearm.
The suspects have been charged with the unlawful possession of prohibited and unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They are scheduled to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 2 November 2026.
The Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo, commended the teams involved for their outstanding success. “The removal of these illegal firearms from our streets is a significant victory in our ongoing fight against violent crime. This operation demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the safety of our communities,” said Brig Ngalo.
Detectives will continue to investigate the suspects’ potential links to other serious crimes in the area.
