Two Mozambicans arrested after firearms linked to police officers' murder found in Mamelodi
Two Mozambican nationals have been arrested after police recovered two firearms stolen from officers who were shot dead in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, last week.
National spokesperson for the South African Police Service, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said an intelligence-driven operation led to the recovery of an SAPS-issued 9mm pistol and an R5 rifle, both positively identified as the weapons taken from Sergeant Rapetsoa and Constable Montja before they were killed on Friday evening.
Following the murders, SAPS mobilised specialised units, including Crime Intelligence, the Sedibeng Tactical Response Team and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – also known as the Hawks – to track down the suspects and the missing firearms.
The raid led officers to Tembisa and Mamelodi East, where the two weapons were found along with several rounds of ammunition.
Police said the two suspects, both from Mozambique, have been arrested and will face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition while investigations into the officers’ murders continue.
Mathe said the search for additional suspects — and for a second missing 9mm pistol — is ongoing.
SAPS national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed the breakthrough and commended the teams involved for acting swiftly to trace the stolen weapons and move closer to identifying the police killers.
On Saturday, SAPS said Masemola had directed Gauteng provincial commissioner for Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, to ensure mobilisation of maximum resources to hunt down two criminals who shot, killed and disarmed two on-duty police officers on Friday evening.
The brutal double murder happened in Ivory Park, Johannesburg.
The two police officers, both attached to the Ivory Park police station, were conducting crime prevention duties in Ivory Park when they were fatally shot by assailants.
The killers fled the scene with two SAPS pistols, an SAPS rifle and two cellphones.
Following the shootings, Masemola says the ongoing attacks and killing of police officers who are on and off duty undermines the authority of the state.
“Between 1 April to 30 September 2025, the SAPS sadly lost six police officers who were killed in the line of duty. We are doing everything possible as management to ensure members are always operationally ready to respond to the call of duty by providing them with resources and ensuring they attend refresher courses and regular maintenance shooting exercises,” said Masemola.
“To all our law enforcement officers out there, don’t die with the resources that we have given you. Always be vigilant and act decisively when your life or the lives of the communities we serve are under threat.”
Anyone with information on the murder incident is encouraged to call 08600 10111 or the station commander of Ivory Park, Brigadier Ngcobo on 076 411 2314.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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