SAPS recovers over 500 illegal firearms in Gauteng crackdown

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng recovered 511 unlicensed firearms and 7,736 rounds of ammunition between 1 January and 31 March, in a continued effort to curb crime and improve public safety.

The seized weapons include automatic rifles, pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles. Some firearms had serial numbers removed, indicating attempts to conceal their origin and evade law enforcement.

The recoveries are linked to Operation Shanela, a coordinated initiative conducted across Gauteng’s five districts. Operations took place mainly in the early hours of Thursdays and on Saturdays.

Police activities included high-density patrols, stop-and-search operations, crime prevention measures and intelligence-driven interventions carried out throughout the week and over weekends.

SAPS said it remains committed to intensifying operations aimed at removing illegal firearms from communities and ensuring the safety of residents.