Further investigations are under way after police uncovered a cache of illegal firearms, including seven high-calibre rifles believed to be linked to cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery syndicates, at a suspected safe house in Daveyton yesterday (July 22).

Officers also seized two unlicensed pistols, ammunition, detonator cables, explosives and vehicle registration plates, all concealed in the ceiling of the premises. Two additional bags containing explosives were found hidden inside an old white minibus on the premises.

A hijacked silver BMW was recovered in the garage and is believed to have been intended for use in the commission of a planned crime.

According to EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa, the discovery was made shortly before midnight during a joint intelligence-driven operation involving the EMPD Community Liaison Unit (CLU), SAPS Highway Patrol and Crime Intelligence.

“Members received information about a group of suspects allegedly planning to commit a cash-in-transit robbery. The intelligence led officers to a house in Khumalo Street, where they recovered the illegal weapons,” said Thepa.

Three of the seven unlicensed high-calibre rifles have been confirmed as South African National Defence Force (SANDF) firearms.

A 41-year-old suspect was arrested and detained at the Daveyton Police Station. He faces charges of possession of unlicensed firearms, possession of ammunition, possession of explosives and possession of a hijacked motor vehicle.

He is expected to appear in the Daveyton Magistrate’s Court soon.

Police believe the suspect is linked to a cash-in-transit robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for numerous robberies across Gauteng.

Investigations are continuing, and police have indicated that further arrests are expected.

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