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Police recovered two pistols, one rifle, hunting rifle and ammunition.
A caretaker in Yeoville, an area on the edge of Johannesburg’s inner city long troubled by hijacked buildings, has been arrested after police uncovered a stash of unlicensed firearms on the premises.
The 49‑year‑old was taken into custody during a crime‑intelligence operation inside the structure, where officers recovered the firearms and ammunition.
Police believe the weapons were headed for another province.
SAPS Gauteng Spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko says, “A crime intelligence-driven operation by the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Tracing team and Anti-Gang Unit searched various floors of a building in George Street and recovered two pistols, one rifle, a hunting rifle and ammunition. The firearms were allegedly headed to KwaZulu-Natal. The suspect will appear before the Magistrate’s Court soon. Police investigation is continuing.”
#sapsGP A 49-year-old building caretaker was arrested in Yeoville on 19 December 2025 for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
A crime intelligence-driven operation by the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Tracing team and Anti-Gang Unit searched various… pic.twitter.com/0nqWT8jSiS— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 20, 2025
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The Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, says the turf war over hijacked building rentals, in the inner city, is escalating again, and this puts many lives at risks.
In a bid to tackle the crisis and stop the bloodshed, the City has now intensified inspections and raids in the various hijacked buildings.
The latest inspection was carried out this Saturday by a multi-agency team at one of the most dangerous and notoriously hijacked building in Marshalltown, in the Johannesburg CBD.
