Mthatha – A 60-year-old businessman from Mthatha, Eastern Cape, who was out on bail for the murder of a police officer, has been rearrested.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the businessman, who has not been named, was found in possession of a company firearm without the required permit.
Law enforcers decided to do an inspection of the guns and bullets owned by the businessman’s security company.
An inspection conducted by members of “Operation Buyisa” established that firearms registered in the name of the security company were not accounted for in the stock register.
“A total of 140 firearms were seized, while a further 135 firearms remained unaccounted for,” said Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk.
She said it was not the first time the businessman was arrested for firearm offences.
“The businessman was out on bail in connection with an attempted murder case involving a police official in July 2026,” said Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk.
“It is alleged that the suspect discharged a firearm inside a tent during a traditional occasion, resulting in an off-duty police official sustaining a gunshot wound.
“The seized firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to establish whether any of them may have been used in the commission of other serious and violent crimes.”
Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk said the South African Police Service continues to conduct compliance inspections as part of efforts to ensure strict adherence to the Firearms Control Act and to prevent the proliferation and unlawful use of firearms.
The accused is expected to appear before the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
