South Africa: Two Appear in Court After 30 Illegal Firearms Seized En Route to Cape Town

3 August 2025
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)

Two suspects arrested with unlicensed 9mm firearms have been charged with multiple counts, including possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs (khat), and impersonating a police officer.

Ashraf Mia (34) and Deon Emmanuel (49) appeared briefly in the Bloemfontein Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 31 July after their arrest in Johannesburg for possession of 30 unlicensed firearms destined for Cape Town.

On Friday, Free State Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed the appearance. He said both accused remained in custody and that the case had been remanded until Thursday, 7 August, for further investigation.

The charges against the two stem from their arrest by the South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team in Meyersdal on Monday, 28 July. According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, they were found with 30 unlicensed 9mm firearms.

Mathe further explained that SAPS believed it had broken the back of a syndicate involved in the trafficking of unlicensed firearms to the Western Cape.

"Their arrest follows several days of surveillance and information-gathering across provinces where suspects involved in the moving of unlicensed firearms were identified. As suspects collected the firearms, the team moved in for a coordinated tactical takedown in Meyersdal.

Mathe...

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