South African police arrested 11 suspects and seized at least five firearms during three separate operations in the Western Cape and Gauteng between 5 and 7 August.

The arrests formed part of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) #GunsOffTheStreets campaign and followed crime intelligence tip-offs and cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

Three arrested in Strand

Members of Operation Lockdown III arrested three men, aged between 22 and 24, in Strand on Friday 7 August.

According to SAPS, police received information about three armed men travelling in a silver Ford Focus who were allegedly extorting businesses in the area.

Officers spotted the vehicle in Xaki Street at about 21:30. One suspect allegedly attempted to flee with a plastic bag but was apprehended.

Police recovered two firearms and 15 rounds of ammunition. The suspects face charges including possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

They are expected to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 11 August.

Five arrested in interprovincial operation

A Crime Intelligence tip-off led to the arrest of five men, aged between 42 and 54, in Muldersdrift, Gauteng, on Thursday 6 August.

SAPS said an interprovincial operation involving law enforcement structures in Gauteng and North West resulted in the suspects being intercepted while travelling in a Toyota Urban Cruiser on the N14.

A pistol recovered during the operation was allegedly identified as the firearm stolen during a hijacking in Potchefstroom on 4 August.

Police also seized ammunition, reflective vests, cellphones and the Toyota Urban Cruiser allegedly used in the crime.

The operation involved several specialised units, including the North West Crime Intelligence Provincial Overt Team, Gauteng Tactical Response Team, Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing, CAP Specialised Operations, Tracker Connect and the Klerksdorp Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit.

The five suspects are expected to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 11 August. Police said they could potentially be linked to other crimes in Gauteng and North West.

Two firearms seized in Alberton

In Alberton, two suspects were arrested on Wednesday 5 August, after police received information about men allegedly involved in a robbery.

SAPS said the complainant identified three men at a local filling station as the alleged robbers. When police approached them, they attempted to flee. Two were arrested while the third initially escaped.

The two suspects were allegedly found in possession of a 9mm Norinco pistol, a .38 revolver and 126 rounds of ammunition.

Police later searched their residence, where they found another man in possession of a toy firearm. Clothing suspected to have been stolen during a business robbery at a dry-cleaning facility in Phumula was also recovered.

All three men were arrested and detained on charges including possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition and suspected stolen property.

SAPS said the three operations demonstrate its continued efforts to remove illegal firearms from circulation and disrupt organised criminal activity through its #GunsOffTheStreets campaign.

Source: South African Police Service (SAPS) media statements, August 2026