Stolen SAPS R5 Rifle and One 9Mm Pistol Recovered – Two Mozambicans Arrested

SAPS firearms on the suspects photo supplied

By Brigadier Athlenda Mathe
SAPS Spokesperson

An intelligence driven operation has led to the recovery of two SAPS firearms.

The firearms have been positively identified as those belonging to the two police officers that were shot and killed in Ivory Park, Johannesburg on Friday evening.

Following the murders of Sergeant Rapetsoa and Constable Montja who were attached to the Ivory Park police station, the SAPS mobilised maximum resources to ensure they find the killers of the two police officers as well as to recover the state issued firearms.

Crime intelligence officers and members of the Sedibeng Tactical Response Team (TRT) led the HAWKS to Tembisa and Mamelodi East.

In Mamelodi, police recovered one SAPS issued 9mm pistol and an SAPS R5 rifle with several rounds of ammunition.

The firearms were positively identified to be those of the SAPS officers who were disarmed off the firearms before being killed.

As investigations continue into the murder of the two police officers, the suspects will for now only face a charge of being in the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The search for other suspects and the other 9mm state pistol continues.

The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has applauded the team for working tirelessly and moving with speed to find the stolen firearms and ultimately find those responsible for the murders of both police officers.