Police Uncover Large Arms Cache in Vanderbijlpark Home, South Africa

Gauteng police uncovered an arms cache of more than 40 high calibre firearms and over 2000 ammunition in a Vanderbijlpark home in South Africa, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The police had been called to the home by a woman, on a domestic violence complaint.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement: “A female complainant called the police as she was having a dispute at her home. While the police were inside the house, their observation and focus led to the discovery of 43 firearms of different calibres and approximately 2000 ammunition, some concealed in containers.”

A 31-year-old man was arrested after being unable to provide satisfactory answers, or prove the validity of such a large quantity of firearms and ammunition. He was also unable to produce proper documentation to substantiate the storage of weapons.

SAPS said the weapons include rifles, shotguns and pistols.

“An investigation is already underway to determine the origin of these arms and ammunition and more importantly, to establish if they could have been used in the commission of an offence,” said SAPS.

The suspect is expected to appear at Vanderbijlpark Magistrate Court soon, facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

SAPS reminded the public to take advantage of the firearms amnesty period in which you can voluntarily surrender illegal and/or unwanted firearms and ammunition. The deadline is May 2020.

Those who hand over firearms during this amnesty period will not be prosecuted, on condition that police confirm that the firearm is not linked to any previous crime.