A 21-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of January 10 after being found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition during a crime prevention operation in Eldorado Park.

Members of the Eldorado Park SAPS Crime Prevention Unit, together with Gauteng Traffic Wardens, were conducting routine patrols across all four policing sectors at about 01:00 when they received a tip-off from an anonymous source.

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The information indicated that a group of men from Lindelani Informal Settlement in Freedom Park were allegedly robbing people along Jan de Naicker Road near the Ikusasa Lethu Community Centre and were reportedly armed.

Eldorado Park SAPS media liaison officer Sergeant Fezeka Khobo said officers responded immediately.

“Upon arrival near the T-junction next to Ikusasa Lethu Community Centre, members spotted a group matching the description, all dressed in black and behaving suspiciously.”

“When the suspects noticed the police vehicle with blue lights activated, they fled in different directions,” said Khobo.

Police gave chase and managed to apprehend one suspect who was seen clutching his waist while running.

Three other suspects fled the scene and evaded arrest.

Upon searching the suspect, officers discovered a grey 9mm pistol loaded with six live rounds of ammunition tucked into his waistband.

The firearm’s serial number had been filed off, and the suspect failed to produce a valid firearm licence.

The suspect was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and detained at Eldorado Park SAPS holding cells.

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The firearm and ammunition were seized as exhibits, and further investigations are under way.

Station Commander Brigadier Mkhacani Maluleke praised the swift action of the officers and reaffirmed the station’s commitment to combating violent crime.

“We are starting the year on a positive note, continuing from where we left off last year.”

“In 2026, we remain committed to rooting out illegal firearms from the streets of greater Eldorado Park,” said Maluleke.

He also commended the Crime Prevention Unit and Gauteng Traffic Wardens for their effective cooperation.

Police have urged community members to continue working with law enforcement by reporting criminal activity.

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Anyone with information about illegal activities in Eldorado Park can contact SAPS on 011 946 0300 or 082 444 3001. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can call the SAPS Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111.