South African authorities have seized 226 firearms from a private security company, with several weapons reportedly linked to armed robberies, cash-in-transit heists, and attacks on law enforcement officers.
The announcement was made by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Thursday.
The operation, conducted by the National Tracking and Monitoring Unit under the banner of Operation Buyisa, uncovered serious violations of the Firearms Control Act 2000.
Weapons were recovered from multiple locations, including 204 firearms and two unregistered guns in Krugersdorp, 12 weapons in Makhado—some of which were stored illegally—and one firearm in Randburg linked to a 2016 attempted murder of police officers.
Authorities have warned that 377 firearms registered to the company remain unaccounted for. The police have issued an official notice demanding the company produce the missing weapons, amid suspicions that some may have been illegally rented to third parties.
Several of the seized firearms are already under investigation for their involvement in previous criminal activity. All weapons will undergo ballistics testing and Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) analysis to determine potential links to other unsolved crimes.
Operation Buyisa, launched in July 2025, is a nationwide initiative designed to remove illegal weapons from circulation and ensure strict compliance with firearms regulations. Police officials stressed that the investigation is ongoing and warned that further arrests could follow as more information emerges.
“This operation demonstrates our commitment to combatting the proliferation of illegal firearms and ensuring that security companies comply with the law,” said a spokesperson for SAPS. “The links between these weapons and violent crimes highlight the urgent need for accountability in the private security sector.”
The seizure has drawn attention to the risks posed by poorly regulated security companies, as South Africa continues to battle high levels of armed crime and organized criminal activity. Authorities have urged citizens and industry operators to cooperate fully with investigations to safeguard public safety.
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