THREE ARRESTED IN EHLANZENI FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND FIREARM SEIZURES

Three suspects have been arrested in separate incidents in Ehlanzeni District following a police operation linked to an armed robbery at a fuel station near Kanyamazane, outside Nelspruit.

Two men, aged 29 and 38, were arrested in Kabokweni on Friday, 06 November 2026, at approximately 16:45 for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. A third suspect, aged 41, was arrested in Kanyamazane on the same day for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

According to police, the arrests followed a coordinated tracking and tracing operation after security officers were allegedly robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash during an armed robbery at a fuel station near Kanyamazane at around 07:00 on Friday.

The operation involved members of the Provincial Anti-Hijacking Team, Provincial Tracking Team, White River Dog Unit, Highway Patrol, CIT Team, POLSEC members from Divergent Ops Security and the STF Task Team.

At approximately 15:00, police received information about a suspicious vehicle reportedly travelling from the Bushbuckridge direction. A search operation was immediately launched, leading officers to Kabokweni, where they spotted and intercepted a red Volkswagen Polo occupied by two men.

During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered an undisclosed amount of cash concealed inside a plastic bag.

Further inspection reportedly raised suspicions about the vehicle's registration disc and identification numbers. Police believe the vehicle may be linked to a Brooklyn case registered in September 2022.

The two occupants were subsequently arrested and charged with possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle.

In a separate incident on the same day, police arrested a 41-year-old man in Kanyamazane after he was allegedly found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The three suspects are expected to appear in their respective magistrates' courts on Monday, 09 November 2026. The two men arrested in Kabokweni will appear at the Kabokweni Magistrate's Court, while the third suspect is expected at the Kanyamazane Magistrate's Court.

Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise, commended the police officers, private security personnel and other stakeholders involved in the operation for their coordinated efforts and successful arrests.