Ex-senior cop nabbed for possession of police-issued ammunition

A 57-year-old former police general has been arrested for allegedly possessing more than 100 rounds of police-issued ammunition, including R5 and 9mm ammunition.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said the arrest follows a search and seizure operation conducted at his Centurion home on July 6 by the SAPS national cold case unit.

During the operation, investigators also seized documents and electronic devices believed to be relevant to the investigation into the murder of Lt-Gen Sindile Mfazi.

Mfazi served as deputy national commissioner for crime detection. He died in July 2021. His death was initially suspected to be Covid-19 related, until police announced earlier this year that they were treating the case as a murder.

“The former general left the SAPS in 2009, and there are no valid reasons for his possession of the SAPS-issued ammunition,” Mathe said.

The suspect will face a charge of unlawful possession of ammunition in contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

The former general is expected to appear before the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Tuesday.