Joint operation leads to recovery of consignment of unlicensed ammunition and explosives in Ficksburg

Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State

FICKSBURG – A joint operation based on intelligence driven information between Ficksburg Crime Intelligence; Bloemfontein Tactical Response Team and K9 of Ladybrand led to the discovery of a suspected unlicensed ammunition and explosives at a house in Ficksburg.

On Tuesday 26 November 2024 members of Crime Intelligence, Ladybrand K-9 unit and Bloemfontein TRT conducted a search and seizure operation at a residential premises in Ficksburg. During the operation, a large quantity of ammunition, explosives, and other military-grade equipment suspected to belong to the SAPS and SANDF were found.

The recovered items include:

-Large number of R.1 and R.5 ammunition

– Stun and Smoke grenades

– ⁠Pencil Flares

– ⁠Thunder Flare

– ⁠Hand signal smoke

“As SAPS we take the unauthorized possession and use of military equipment and ammunition very seriously. This is just an indication of how we have sharpened our intelligence gathering which led to this breakthrough,” said the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Baile Motswenyane.

A 56-year-old male was taken into custody and will appear in court soon facing possible charges like possession of unlicensed ammunition, possession of suspected stolen ammunition and possession of explosives.

Investigation in this matter will be continuing so as to dig deeper into how such a large amount of ammunition and explosives ended up in the hands of an individual who is not authorised to possess.

Ends

Enquiries:
Brigadier Motantsi Makhele
082 466 7396

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAPoliceService
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sapoliceservice_za/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SAPoliceService
Website: www.saps.gov.za