Pistol with its serial number scratched off found in Bityi room as police arrest man, 49
The OR Tambo District Task Team says it recovered a 9mm Star pistol with no ammunition during an intelligence-driven operation in Sabe locality, and the suspect appeared in the Bityi Magistrate's Court the same day.
A 49-year-old man has been arrested in Sabe locality, Khonqeni A/A, near Bityi in the Eastern Cape, and charged with unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The South African Police Service says the arrest came from an intelligence-driven operation by the Mthatha-based OR Tambo District Task Team, which moved on the man at about 00:30 on Friday, 30 October 2026.
According to the police account, officers searched his room and recovered a 9mm Star pistol with its serial number erased. No ammunition was found with the firearm.
The man is due to appear before the Bityi Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 30 October 2026 on the same charge.
The OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, repeated his call that district police will keep working against the spread of unlicensed firearms for the safety of all.
This report is drawn from the SAPS media statement issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Cape, which is a summary of the operation and not the case docket. Enquiries on the statement are directed to Captain Welile Matyolo on 079 890 0742.
The canonical statement is published at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72156.
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