Blue‑light bandits arrested after stop‑and‑search operation in Devon

Who, what and where

Police said the suspects, aged 32 and 41, were handcuffed on Friday, 3 July 2026, in Devon during a stop-and-search operation conducted in Gauteng. Authorities described the pair as suspects in a series of blue-light robberies and car hijackings affecting Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Items seized and vehicle linked to hijacking

Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo listed items recovered after the suspects and their vehicle were searched. He said:

“Upon searching the suspects and the vehicle, police found an unlicensed firearm loaded with ammunition, blue lights, uniforms of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department and SA Police Service (Saps).”

Masondo also said police discovered that the vehicle they were driving was recently hijacked. He said one vehicle initially failed to stop, leading to a chase that ended when the vehicle was stopped at Leslie.

Police response and investigation

Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, praised the officers involved and warned others against impersonating law enforcement. He said:

“The use of blue lights and police uniforms to commit robberies and hijackings is a very serious criminal offence and undermines public trust.”

Mkhwanazi commended the collaboration that led to the interception and added: “We remain committed to rooting out these syndicates and ensuring that our roads are safe for all road users. Let this serve as a warning to others who might be involved in such acts of criminality.”

Court appearance

Both suspects are expected to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing charges that include possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and impersonating a police officer.

The arrests were described by police as the result of collaboration between law-enforcement units in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, including the Mpumalanga Organised Crime Investigation Unit and SAPS Devon.