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Centurion search leads to arrest of former police general
A former police general has been arrested after more than 100 rounds of South African Police Service (SAPS)-issued ammunition were allegedly found at his home in Centurion, Pretoria.
The 57-year-old was arrested by the SAPS National Cold Case Unit following a search and seizure operation on 6 July 2026, according to an official SAPS media statement.
#sapsHQ [FORMER POLICE GENERAL ARRESTED BY SAPS NATIONAL COLD CASE UNIT FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SAPS-ISSUED AMMUNITION] A 57yr-old former police general has been arrested for the unlawful possession of more than 100 rounds of #SAPS issued ammunition, including R5 and 9mm ammunition.
The arrest follows a search and seizure operation conducted at his home in Centurion on 06 July 2026 by the SAPS National Cold Case Unit. During the operation, investigators also seized documents and electronic devices believed to be relevant to the investigation into the murder of Lieutenant General Sindile Mfazi.
The former general left the SAPS in 2009, and there are no valid reasons for his possession of the SAPS-issued ammunition.
He is facing a charge of unlawful possession of ammunition in contravention of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court today. ME
https://t.co/si9NQWlF57SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 20, 2026
Investigators seized R5 rifle and 9mm ammunition, along with documents and electronic devices believed to be relevant to the investigation into the murder of Lieutenant General Sindile Mfazi.
SAPS said there were ‘no valid reasons for his possession of the SAPS-issued ammunition’.
The former general left the police service in 2009 and faces a charge of unlawful possession of ammunition under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
The arrest comes as investigators continue probing Mfazi’s death. In July, national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that forensic examinations had found a poisonous substance in Mfazi’s body after it was exhumed. The case was subsequently changed from an inquest to a murder investigation, TimesLIVE reported.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 20 October.
The ammunition charge does not, on its own, establish any involvement in Mfazi’s death.
