Hawks win conviction over 2021 Tyefu police station burglary and firearms theft

Brothers convicted over brazen 2021 Tyefu Police Station break‑in

The Qonce Regional Court convicted two brothers in connection with the 2021 burglary at Tyefu Police Station and the theft of state‑issued firearms and ammunition, the Citizen reports.

What happened

On 20 June 2021 Tyefu Police Station was unlawfully entered while two police officials were attending to service‑related complaints within the policing precinct. When the officers returned they found the station’s perimeter gate, security gate and Community Service Centre (CSC) entrance had been forcibly breached.

Investigation and arrests

The Hawks were assigned the case after investigators established that the perpetrators had stolen critical state assets, including two computers, two Z88 9mm service pistols with magazines, and an R5 rifle loaded with 112 live rounds of ammunition.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said an intelligence‑led operation traced the stolen firearms and identified suspects. During operations near Ndlambe Village, police encountered one of the accused, who opened fire while attempting to evade arrest. Officers subdued and arrested him and recovered a stolen Z88 pistol linked to the Tyefu burglary.

“Members responded and successfully subdued and arrested the suspect without any loss of life. A stolen Z88 9mm pistol linked directly to the Tyefu Police Station burglary was recovered in his possession,” said Mhlakuvana.

Further investigations led to the arrest of the other suspect. Hawks investigators recovered another stolen Z88 pistol concealed inside the handbag of the accused’s grandmother, plus two firearm magazines and one of the stolen computers found in bushes adjacent to the police station. Both accused have remained in custody after bail was opposed.

Convictions and charges

According to the Citizen, Luncedo Ndwayana and Thandile Ndwayana were successfully convicted in the Qonce Regional Court on 21 May 2026. Thandile was found guilty of housebreaking, theft, possession of a prohibited fully automatic firearm, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built‑up area, and attempted murder. Luncedo was convicted of housebreaking, theft and unlawful possession of firearms, including a prohibited weapon.

Next court appearance

According to the Citizen, the matter has been postponed to 19 June 2026 for sentencing at Alice Regional Court.

Community and policing implications

The Hawks described the theft as a calculated attack on state infrastructure and said their intelligence‑driven operation aimed to neutralise any threat posed to surrounding communities by recovered state‑issued firearms and ammunition.