A dramatic police operation in Protea Glen, Soweto on Wednesday evening ended with the arrest of a 39-year-old man found driving a luxury silver Mercedes-Benz loaded with high-powered assault rifles and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), members of the Protea Trio Task Team and the Crime Prevention Unit were conducting a stop-and-search operation when they flagged down the unmarked Mercedes-Benz, which had no number plates.
What appeared to be a routine check quickly turned into a startling discovery. Inside the vehicle officers uncovered an arsenal fit for a battlefield including four AK-47 rifles, 329 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 21 rounds of R5 rifle ammunition, and ten AK-47 magazines neatly packed in the boot.
Power Of Favour? (Silent, Powerful, Spiritual) Don’t miss out on your desires. You are not the only one pursuing them. Command power of favour to achieve your heart desires: In your undertakings. Work. Job. Career. Profession. Business. Politics. Workplace. Powerful position. Patronage. Selling. Contract. People/ crowd. Global fame. Love matters. Etc.. Spiritual Consultation On: Spiritual power of favour over efforts alone for desired outcome. Overcome delay with power of favour. Overcome rejection with power of favour. Other matters. For Spiritual Consultation, Guidance, Contact: DR. J.A FAROS: Call/ Whatsapp: 0 7 0 3 0 5 1 4 0 6 3. Sango-ota. Lagos. Nigeria. Distance no barrier( 3 options) By Unlimiting Power of God, Every Dream materialized.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Mpho Maseko confirmed the arrest and commended the officers for their vigilance. “The quick thinking and alertness of our members prevented what could have been a major threat to community safety. The suspect failed to provide any documentation or valid reason for carrying such dangerous weapons Maseko said.
The suspect whose identity is being withheld pending further investigations was immediately taken into custody and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. He is expected to appear before the Protea Magistrate’s Court soon.
Authorities believe the cache may be linked to a broader network involved in violent crimes, illegal arms trafficking, or planned robberies in Johannesburg and surrounding areas. We are following strong leads to trace the source and intended use of these weapons added Maseko.
Residents of Protea Glen have since praised police for their swift action saying the arrest may have prevented a potential bloodbath. We hear gunfire almost every weekend. To know they caught someone like this gives us some peace said one local resident.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police vowing to tighten stop-and-search operations across Gauteng to combat the rising circulation of unlicensed firearms.
This is not just an arrest it is a message that law enforcement is watching said Maseko. We will not allow our communities to become war zones.