Two suspects arrested after R4 rifles stolen from military base
via The Citizen2 min read
Two suspects were arrested at Mooiplaas informal settlement following the theft of R4 assault rifles and grenade launchers from the Lyttelton Military Base in Pretoria in April. The thieves gained entry by cutting a perimeter fence and forcing open a security door. South African Police Service spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko stated that an intelligence-driven operation led to the recovery of two R4 rifles with ammunition, a replica firearm, and a traffic officer’s uniform. Cases of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of government property, and contravention of immigration legislation have been opened. Ian Cameron, National Assembly chair of the portfolio committee on police, expressed concern about the ease with which military-grade weapons entered criminal circulation, questioning state security failures. University of Limpopo criminology professor Witness Maluleke highlighted that this incident is not isolated, pointing to compromised security systems and potential inside involvement, which he described as a significant concern for the country.
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