Police recover guns, ammunition in national crime takedowns

For illustrative purposes. Gauteng police intensified efforts to curb illegal firearms, recovering hundreds of weapons and ammunition in recent months. Picture: Supplied The South African Police Service’s (Saps) fight against crime continues, after confiscating a cache of illegal guns and ammunition from takedowns across the country and removing them from circulation.

During the nationwide Shanela II operations, police also arrested 14 589 suspects for crimes including murder, rape, sexual assault, robbery, drug offences, and illegal mining between 26 January and 01 February 2026. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said a further 2 032 wanted suspects were also traced and arrested for serious crimes during the same period. “Police recovered 119 firearms, including 10 rifles, seven shotguns, and five homemade firearms, alongside 1 144 rounds of ammunition.

These recoveries form part of a broader clampdown on violent crime.” Van Wyk said there were also several other confiscations and recoveries: She also highlighted some provincial crime-fighting operations in the past week. The Saps it remains committed to removing illegal firearms and ammunition from circulation, as these are key drivers of violent crime. Communities are urged to continue reporting criminal activity to their nearest police station, through Crime Stop (08600 10111) or the MySAPS App.