Firearms with removed serial numbers are among 276 unlicensed weapons recovered by police in Gauteng over three months, as authorities intensify efforts to disrupt criminal activities and improve community safety.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the firearms, along with 30,274 rounds of ammunition, were recovered between 1 July and 30 September 2026 during various crime-fighting operations across the province.
The weapons seized include automatic rifles, revolvers, pistols, rifles and shotguns. Police noted that some had their serial numbers removed, making it more difficult to trace their origins.
Among the operations contributing to the recoveries was Operation Shanela II, which was conducted across all five districts in Gauteng. The operation included high-density patrols, stop-and-search activities and intelligence-driven interventions.
Additional firearms were recovered during Operations Prosper and Karabo, joint operations between SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) targeting areas affected by illegal mining and gangsterism.
These operations aim to disrupt criminal activities, recover illegal weapons and ammunition, and strengthen law enforcement visibility in communities affected by crime.
SAPS Gauteng has pledged to continue intensifying intelligence-led operations and working with law enforcement partners to remove illegal firearms from circulation.
Police have also called on members of the public to report suspicious and criminal a
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