Middelburg weapons dealer arrested after firearm seizure
Police seized more than 500 licensed firearms from a Middelburg gun dealer, after weapons were found stored at an unapproved site outside eMalahleni. A 55-year-old man was arrested.
Hundreds of firearms have been seized from a Middelburg-based gun dealer following an inspection that uncovered serious storage violations.
In video footage, the massive amount of weapons can be seen, stacked on piles, after being seized by the police. A total of 537 licensed firearms and quantities of ammunition were confiscated during a nationwide inspection drive conducted by the South African Police Service on Tuesday (February 17).
In total, 3 728 inspections were carried out at firearm dealers and security companies across the country during the week.
The Middelburg Observer spoke to Lt Col Amanda van Wyk, national police spokesperson, who confirmed that the storage site did not meet legal requirements. “The firearms and ammunition from a local Middelburg gun dealer were found at a property that is not authorised for storage,” she said.
The operation forms part of a countrywide effort to check whether firearm dealers and security companies are storing weapons safely, keeping proper records, and operating within the law.
The investigation in Middelburg was triggered by information that a security-related business was continuing to operate despite firearm licences having expired. This led investigators to a plot on the outskirts of eMalahleni, where a large number of firearms were discovered.
According to police, the weapons, although licensed, were being stored at a location that was not approved or registered for firearm storage. The dealer, allegedly, moved the firearms after running out of space at the business’s official premises.
The gun dealer was arrested, and all firearms and ammunition were seized.
The case falls under the Firearms Control Act, which requires firearm holders and businesses to store weapons only at approved facilities and to comply fully with licence conditions. Authorities have emphasised that licensed firearms are still subject to strict rules, especially when stored in bulk by dealers or companies. Failing to follow these rules is a criminal offence, regardless of whether the weapons are legally owned.
The Middelburg Observer has requested confirmation from Lt Col Amanda van Wyk, national police spokesperson, regarding the suspect’s court appearance and charges brought against him. She said that she is still awaiting confirmation.
It remains unclear when the Middelburg gun dealer will face the court.
An update will follow once confirmation is received.
@middelburgobserver NEWS | Middelburg weapons dealer arrested after firearm seizure Read more: https://www.citizen.co.za/middelburg-observer/news/2026/02/19/middelburg-weapons-dealer-arrested-after-firearm-seizure/ #middelburgobserver #middelburg #weaponseizure #caxtonnetworknews
