Man languishes behind bars after police seize 13 illegal firearms and 1,000 bullets
A 62-year-old man arrested following the recovery of 13 unlicensed firearms and ammunition in Carolina has been remanded in custody.
The suspect, Frederick Jakobus Botha, appeared before the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 14 January 2026.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the case was postponed to 19 January 2026 for a formal bail application. Botha was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
Police arrested Botha on Tuesday following an intelligence-driven operation at a farm in Carolina, where officers recovered 13 unlicensed firearms, including self-manufactured firearms, rifles, a shotgun and handguns. More than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and blanks were also seized.
Ndubane said the suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for being in possession of the firearms and ammunition, and police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges being added.
In a separate incident on the same day, police in Carolina recovered about 260kg of dagga, with an estimated street value of R1.5 million, from a vehicle with Botswana registration plates after a chase.
The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot and has not yet been traced.
Anyone with information that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information via the MySAPS App.
Members of the Provincial Operational Coordination Combat Team conducted an intelligence-driven operation at the flat during the early morning hours.
The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, said several firearms were seized.
“According to preliminary information, the firearms had been transported from KwaZulu-Natal to Cape Town. During the search, the members seized six AK-47 rifles and eight 9mm pistols with ammunition. The suspects were unable to produce valid firearm licences or permits for the weapons,” Traut said.
He said as a result, eight men were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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