Five arrested in Limpopo after police recover three firearms, suspected stolen phones and two vehicles

Police in Limpopo have arrested five suspects aged between 28 and 47 after recovering three firearms, ammunition, seven suspected stolen cellphones and two vehicles in the Tubatse policing area, authorities said.

How the arrests unfolded

Detectives received information that two vehicles were allegedly being used by suspects who were planning a robbery at a business establishment on Tuesday at around 7pm. Members traced the vehicles to a liquor outlet in the Tubatse area and identified them as a white Volkswagen Polo and a maroon Mazda CX‑3.

A total of five occupants were found inside the two vehicles. Following a search of the vehicles, officers recovered seven suspected stolen cellphones and two pistols. One pistol was loaded with seven live rounds of ammunition, while the second was loaded with 14 live rounds and had an additional empty magazine.

Link to an armed robbery and further recoveries

During the operation police linked one of the suspects, aged 28, to an armed robbery reported in Tubatse in August 2026. That suspect led police to a firearm believed to have been used in the robbery. At the suspect’s residential address he handed over a shotgun with no serial number and four empty cartridges. The two vehicles were seized for further investigation.

Charges, custody and next steps

All five suspects were arrested and detained at Tubatse Police Station. They face charges including possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of suspected stolen property. The suspected stolen cellphones were taken in as exhibits while police continue their inquiries.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Police investigations are ongoing.

Police comment

“We will continue to act on information from our communities and deploy our specialised teams to identify, track and arrest criminals who threaten the safety and security of our people,”

“Those who choose to use firearms to commit robberies and other violent crimes can expect to face the full might of the law,”

Both statements were attributed to Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, who noted that the recovery of the firearms is significant given the role of illegal firearms in serious and violent crime.

Items recovered (as reported)

• Three firearms (two pistols and one shotgun)
• Ammunition: one pistol with seven live rounds; a second pistol with 14 live rounds and an extra empty magazine; shotgun with four empty cartridges
• Seven suspected stolen cellphones
• Two vehicles: white Volkswagen Polo and maroon Mazda CX‑3