Man charged for possession of 13 unlicenced firearms released on R20,000 bail
A 62-year-old man arrested following the recovery of 13 unlicenced firearms and ammunition in Carolina has been released on bail.
Frederick Jakobus Botha appeared before the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 January 2026, where Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said the matter was before the court for a formal bail application.
He faces charges of possession of ammunition and possession of prohibited fully automatic firearms.
Ndubane said Botha was granted bail of R20,000, and the case was postponed to 22 April 2026 for further investigations.
Botha was arrested earlier this month following an intelligence-driven operation at a farm in Carolina. During the operation, police 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.
Police previously said the suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for having the firearms and ammunition, and that the possibility of additional charges had not been ruled out.
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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