Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu has applauded the police on their successful recovery of 10 AK-47 assault rifles along with a 100 rounds of ammunition, three shotguns and a pistol, during two operations in Port St Johns.

#sapsEC A coordinated intelligence-driven operation by SAPS Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and Combat units has led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and military-grade equipment in Port St. John’s from 12 to 13 June 2025. All… pic.twitter.com/rQF5jrMbdB

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 14, 2025

Three people were arrested with a fourth on the run. The police believe the weapons are related to taxi violence and cash in transit crimes.

Mchunu says a man ran away when the police executed their operations.

“The firearms and all the ammunition look new.

We firstly thank police for acting fast. These are unlicensed fire arms and it is the duty of policer to ensure to the best of their ability that people are safe.”

The Minister also issued a stern warning to people who are involved in criminal activities in areas affected by floods in the Eastern Cape. This follows reports that some people have been looting. Mchunu was addressing the media in Mthatha, where he assessed the damage caused floods.

“We are going to do our work, we’ve been requested to look after such areas and work against such and I must promise that we will be very harsh to such people, including trying to wake their morals. There’s no amount of excuse even if you are hungry, you’ve never eaten for whatever period, there’s no justification whatsoever that would push you to get into a home of deceased people and try and remove what you can. You don’t deserve to called a human being and therefore you don’t deserve to be treated as one.”