Gauteng police seize over 770 illegal firearms in three months

Zuko Komisa

Hand gun with ammunition on dark stone background. 9 mm pistol gun military weapon and pile of bullets at the metal table.

Gauteng police have seized 776 unlicensed firearms and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition in a three-month period ending in September 2025.
The large haul included automatic rifles and weapons with filed-off serial numbers, leading to the arrest of 247 suspects for illegal possession of firearms.
Police credit the success to proactive policing and collaboration with other agencies, reaffirming their commitment to combating the circulation of illegal weapons.

Police in Gauteng have announced a major success in their fight against violent crime, revealing they recovered a staggering 776 unlicensed firearms and 2,030 rounds of ammunition between 1st July and 30th September 2025.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed the figures in a statement released on Monday, highlighting the scale of illegal weaponry removed from the streets.

The three-month operation also saw the arrest of numerous suspects. According to the SAPS report, 247 individuals were apprehended for the illegal possession of firearms, while a further 224 were detained for the unlawful possession of ammunition.

The recovered weapons comprised a variety of dangerous firearms, including automatic rifles, complete firearms, revolvers/pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Authorities noted that a number of these weapons had their serial numbers filed off, suggesting they had been used in or destined for criminal activity.

The police service attributed the significant haul to robust operational strategies. “These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of proactive policing efforts and collaborative work with other law enforcement agencies, private security companies, and government departments,” the statement read.

The SAPS reiterated its commitment to community safety, vowing to continue its intense efforts to combat crime and prevent the circulation of illegal firearms throughout the province.