A 15-year-old teenager inadvertently led police to the arrest of his 37-year-old male relative in Limpopo for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition after the minor was found with live rounds at his school on Thursday.

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the arrests by police in Malamulele occurred on February 5, 2026, at about 12:00 in Mahonisi Village, Vhembe District.

Ledwaba said police were called to a local high school after three live rounds of ammunition were confiscated from the 15-year-old learner on the premises.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the ammunition belonged to an adult relative of the learner, he said.

“Police proceeded to the learner’s residence, where the 37-year-old relative was found. Further investigations led to the recovery of additional ammunition (39 rounds), a firearm concealed in a holster, a magazine, and empty cartridges hidden at various locations in nearby bushes,” Ledwaba said.

The adult suspect was arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

He is expected to appear before the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 9, 2026, while the matter concerning the minor will be dealt with in accordance with the Child Justice Act.

Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, the provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, commended the prompt action by police and school authorities.

She reiterated that the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, particularly where children are involved, will not be tolerated, as it poses a serious threat to the safety of communities and schools.

Ledwaba said police investigations are continuing, and more arrests are imminent.

The arrests come as police across the country continue to remove illegal firearms and ammunition from the streets in an effort to fight crime.

Recent festive season statistics highlighted the achievements made by the SAPS throughout the period, from October 11, 2024, to January 31, 2025.

Police conducted 12,000 firearm dealer and private security compliance inspections, arrested 1,952 suspects for illegal firearm possession, and confiscated 2,198 illegal firearms, including 1,731 handguns, 154 homemade guns, 211 rifles, and 102 shotguns. In addition, 37,658 rounds of ammunition were seized.

Operation Vala Umgodi, which aims to combat illegal mining and associated crimes across South Africa, seized 458 firearms and 12,000 rounds of ammunition during this period.

The first and second quarter crime stats report last November revealed that between July and September 2025, 2,447 people were killed with a firearm.

During April 1 to September 31, 3,442 firearms were seized during various operations, and suspects were sentenced for 134 robberies committed with firearms, while 154 were armed robberies.

Police warned that lawfully owned firearms are intended strictly for lawful purposes, including protection, and must be properly licensed, safely stored, and responsibly used in accordance with the law.

Illegal firearms can be reported to the SAPS by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or by using the MySAPS App.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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