- A 56-year-old former top police general was arrested after investigators found more than 100 rounds of service ammunition at his home
- The National Cold Case Unit conducted the search and seizure operation on 6 July 2026, also recovering documents and electronic devices
- The former general, who left the SAPS in 2009, is expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has spent a decade reporting on South Africa's political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — A 56-year-old former senior South African Police Service general has been arrested after more than 100 rounds of SAPS-issued ammunition were discovered at his Centurion residence, including R5 and 9mm rounds.
The arrest stems from a search and seizure operation carried out on 6 July 2026 by the SAPS National Cold Case Unit at the suspect's home. In addition to the ammunition, investigators removed documents and electronic devices believed to be relevant to the ongoing murder investigation into Lieutenant General Sindile Mfazi.
Mfazi died on 8 July 2021 at the age of 59, with his death officially attributed to COVID-19 complications. At the time of his passing, he was probing high-level matters, including a R1.6 billion personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement fraud case within SAPS headquarters.
Following a court-ordered exhumation and independent forensic testing requested by his family, toxicology reports revealed that Mfazi did not die of natural causes, but was instead poisoned with liquid casting resin.
General faces Firearms Control Act charge
The former general departed the SAPS in 2009 and has no lawful basis for retaining ammunition issued by the service.
He now faces a charge of unlawful possession of ammunition in contravention of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on the day of his arrest. No further details regarding bail or additional charges have been confirmed at this stage.
Source: Briefly News
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