Police Intercept Illegal Gun Sale in Thabazimbi

Platinum Bushvelder newspaper | Thabazimbi – A 30-year-old man appeared before the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 8 January 2026, after being arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Thabazimbi.

According to brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, the arrest was made on Tuesday afternoon, 6 January, at approximately 15:00, next to the Thabazimbi Local Municipality.

Police were conducting Safer Festive Season operations in the Waterberg District when they received information about a man allegedly carrying an illegal firearm and intending to sell it to an unknown individual in the area. Officers proceeded to the location and identified a suspect matching the description provided.

The man was found carrying a school bag. A search of the bag led to the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and a magazine containing eleven live rounds of ammunition. The suspect was unable to produce a valid licence for the firearm or ammunition and was arrested at the scene.

Police say investigations are continuing and no further details about the intended sale or possible accomplices have been confirmed at this stage.