Durban Metro Police arrest four with a stolen SAPS gun

Metro officers grabbed four suspects after discovering a firearm lifted from the Margate police station tucked inside their car.

Durban warrants sweep netted the stolen weapon on Monday

• Police halted the vehicle at Mahatma Gandhi Road in Point.
• Officers found the gun hidden with matching ammunition during searches.
• Database checks confirmed the weapon disappeared from SAPS Margate months earlier.

All four men lacked legal documentation for the firearm

• Suspects ranged in age from their 20s to 30s.
• Charges include unlawful possession and holding stolen property outright.
• Officers called the seizure a major community safety victory.

SAPS loses over 1,000 firearms annually across the country

• KwaZulu-Natal gun violence kills thousands of residents each year.
• Stolen weapons empower criminals to execute hijackings and home invasions.
• Parents in Umlazi and KwaMashu keep children indoors after sunset.

Investigators suspect organised networks traffic weapons between provinces

• Some suspects carry prior records for lesser criminal offences.
• Detectives are interviewing Margate station staff and reviewing security footage.

Court proceedings will determine custody during the investigation

• Unlawful firearm possession carries sentences reaching 15 years behind bars.
• Prosecutors will likely argue that the accused pose flight risks.

Margate locals demand upgraded security measures at their station

• Residents want better locks, cameras, and stricter officer accountability protocols.
• Operation Shanela confiscates thousands of illegal guns nationwide annually.