Four arrested in Mpumalanga as police seize illegal firearms, explosives and suspected drugs

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has arrested four suspects during separate crime prevention operations in Grootvlei and Verena, recovering illegal firearms, ammunition, suspected explosives and drugs.

The arrests were made on 31 July 2026 during intelligence-driven operations aimed at disrupting criminal activity in the province.

In Grootvlei, police initially arrested a suspect in the early hours of Friday for the unlawful possession of ammunition. Later that day, members of the ATM Bombing Task Team, assisted by Visible Policing officers, conducted a further search of the suspect's vehicle.

During the search, officers uncovered two handguns, a rifle and six packets of suspected explosives hidden inside the vehicle's spare wheel compartment.

Police said the discovery is a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to prevent violent crimes linked to illegal firearms and ATM bombings.

In a separate operation in Verena, officers acted on information about a man allegedly carrying an unlicensed firearm in the Phakama New Stands area.

A search led to the recovery of a silver homemade firearm with a brown handle, resulting in the suspect's immediate arrest.

Later, at around 10.40am, police conducting patrols near the Verena Taxi Rank noticed a man fleeing when he spotted the patrol vehicle.

Officers gave chase and apprehended the suspect. After obtaining permission to search him, police recovered 24 small plastic packets containing a white powder believed to be drugs.

The 24-year-old man was arrested for possession of substances suspected to be drugs.

Police said investigations are continuing and the seized firearms, explosives and suspected narcotics will undergo further forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigations. The suspects are expected to appear in court on charges relating to the unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives and suspected drugs.