Four suspects have been arrested in South Africa’s Gauteng province after police seized eight AK-47 rifles and seven empty magazines during a routine patrol operation.
According to information released by the South African Police Service (Saps) on social media, the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following the discovery of the firearms in Magaliesburg.
The police say officers from Saps Magaliesburg were conducting patrols along the R24 road on 16 June when they noticed a Volvo truck bearing Namibian registration plates parked on the roadside, with a Mazda sedan stationed behind it.
The officers allegedly observed two men carrying a mielie bag from the truck and placing it into the boot of the Mazda.
Their actions aroused suspicion, prompting police to approach the vehicles and conduct a search.
“All four occupants were immediately arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearms,” the South African police say in a statement.
The suspects are expected to undergo profiling as investigations continue.
The police have also sent the seized firearms for ballistic testing to determine whether they may have been used in the commission of any crimes.
“The firearms will be subjected to ballistic analysis to establish if they have been used in any criminal activities,” the South African police say.
The police have not disclosed the identities or nationalities of the suspects.
