From Tip-Off to Takedown: Police Seize AK-47s in Roodepoort, One Man Arrested

A Quiet Suburb, a Dangerous Discovery

What looked like an ordinary house in Roodepoort quickly became the focus of a high-risk police operation this week, after officers uncovered military-grade firearms and ammunition hidden inside.

Acting on intelligence received, Gauteng police arrested a 36-year-old man on Monday after discovering two rifles, including an AK-47 and more than 80 rounds of live ammunition at the property.

The arrest highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to clamp down on illegal firearms circulating in Gauteng, where unlicensed weapons are often linked to violent crime syndicates.

Roodepoort Man Arrested After Police Find AK-47, Semi-Automatic Rifle and Over 80 Rounds of Ammunition at His Home

Police in Gauteng have arrested a 36-year-old man after recovering two rifles and more than 80 rounds of live ammunition at a house in Roodepoort. The arrest… pic.twitter.com/zjMO6btOuV

THE TRUTH PANTHER 🇿🇦 (@TheTruthPanther) January 6, 2026

How the Arrest Unfolded

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, members of the Gauteng Organised Crime Tracing Team, together with Police Emergency Services Flexi units, were mobilised after receiving information about illegal firearms being stored at a house in Roodepoort.

Officers moved in swiftly.

During a search of the property, police recovered an AK-47 rifle, a .308 semi-automatic rifle, a magazine, and more than 80 live rounds of ammunition. The man found inside the house was immediately arrested.

He now faces charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and is expected to appear before the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court soon.

Firearms to Undergo Ballistics Testing

Lieutenant Colonel Masondo confirmed that the seized weapons will be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in other crimes.

This step is crucial, especially as AK-47s are frequently linked to cash-in-transit heists, business robberies and gang-related violence across Gauteng and neighbouring provinces.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni praised the officers for acting decisively on the information received, saying such operations play a vital role in preventing serious and violent crime.

Public Reaction: Relief and Concern

News of the arrest sparked mixed reactions online. Many residents welcomed the seizure, calling it a relief that such weapons were taken off the streets. Others expressed concern over how easily high-powered rifles continue to surface in residential areas.

“It’s scary to think weapons like this are just sitting in houses,” one Roodepoort resident commented on social media.

Deadly Shootout in KZN Raises Alarm

The Gauteng arrest came on the same day as a deadly police shootout in KwaZulu-Natal, underlining the scale of illegal firearms across the country.

In the early hours of Monday, 5 January 2026, two suspects were shot dead during a gun battle with police in the Uvongo area, within the Margate policing precinct.

KZN police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said officers approached a targeted house and announced their presence, but received no response. When police entered the property, the occupants allegedly opened fire.

Police returned fire, fatally wounding both suspects. Officers recovered two AK-47 assault rifles and three pistols from the scene. No police members were injured.

A Bigger Picture Problem

Both incidents point to a wider challenge facing South Africa: the continued spread of illegal, high-calibre firearms in communities.

While arrests and seizures offer moments of reassurance, police acknowledge that sustained intelligence-led operations and community cooperation, remain key to keeping such weapons out of circulation.

For now, at least, two more AK-47s have been removed from the streets and that alone could save lives.

{Source: The Citizen}

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