Three arrested in Bergville after intelligence-led raid uncovers illegal weapons

Three people were arrested in the Stulwane area, Bergville, in the early hours of Wednesday after an intelligence-led police operation recovered several unlicensed firearms and ammunition, police said.

Operation and arrests

Officers from the Upper Tugela police station and members of the KZN Provincial Drugs and Firearms Unit conducted the intelligence-driven operation. The raid targeted armed suspects who are alleged to be involved in cross-border criminal activities, including livestock theft.

Weapons recovered

Police confirmed the recovery of multiple firearms and rounds of ammunition. Recovered items included:

• a shotgun with four rounds of ammunition
• a .38 revolver with seven rounds of ammunition
• a homemade firearm with three rounds of ammunition
• a 6.35 pistol with eight rounds of ammunition

Location and local reaction

The Stulwane area is about 20km from Bergville town in the Okhahlamba Municipality, in the Northern Drakensberg foothills. It is close to the KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho border and is described in the police report as an area believed to be a hotspot for cross-border livestock theft and illegal firearms following previous cases.

After police left the scene, some community members demanded the release of the suspects, who are reported to be between 30 and 44 years old.

Charges and court appearance

The three suspects were charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They are due to appear in the Bergville Magistrate’s Court on October 7, pending the continuation of legal processes.