In a significant setback to public confidence in law enforcement and community safety efforts, a sergeant from the Newcastle SAPS Crime Prevention Unit and a prominent local crime fighter remain in police custody.
These arrests stem directly from allegations that the pair colluded to conceal the theft of a state-issued firearm. Both men were detained on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
As a result, they now face serious charges, including perjury, defeating the ends of justice, negligent loss of a firearm, and failure to safeguard a firearm—a charge linked specifically to the official service weapon issued to the sergeant for his professional duties.
These offences are provided for under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, which serves as the primary legislation governing firearm possession and responsibility in South Africa. In particular, the Act mandates the immediate reporting of any loss or theft and criminalises negligent handling or the failure to take reasonable steps to prevent a firearm from being lost or stolen.
Furthermore, according to the South African Police Service Discipline Regulations, 2016, the negligent loss of state property—including a service firearm—constitutes misconduct.
As set out in Regulation 5(3)(e), such conduct initiates formal internal disciplinary proceedings. These proceedings may result in sanctions including dismissal and, importantly, they run parallel to any separate criminal prosecution under national legislation.
Turning to the circumstances of the case, the alleged incident occurred on Sunday, 11 January 2026, while the sergeant was in Newcastle in a private capacity. According to a police source familiar with the ongoing investigation, “It is speculated that he had been in town, stopped at a local business, and it was during this time that his firearm was stolen from his vehicle. He then allegedly contacted the second suspect, and the two men then reported that the firearm had been stolen during a home burglary at the officer’s home on Sunday.”
Although unconfirmed reports have suggested that the sergeant may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time, the source was careful to emphasise that this remains unsubstantiated speculation and has not been verified.
In providing official confirmation of the arrests, Amajuba SAPS spokesperson Constable Nonjabulo Langa stated: “A state firearm was stolen from the Sergeant’s vehicle on Sunday, 11 January 2026, at Battery Centre.”
While the identities of both suspects are known to Newcastillian News, they have not been released publicly at this stage, pending their appearance before the Newcastle Magistrates Court.
Moreover, police have confirmed that the two men are expected to be charged with perjury, defeating the ends of justice, negligent loss of a firearm, and failure to safeguard a firearm during the course of Thursday, 15 January 2026, after which their court date will be set.
While confirming that incidents such as this are extremely rare in Newcastle—particularly where police officers and community crime fighters attempt to hide a crime—Constable Langa stressed that local law enforcement was taking the matter extremely seriously. Not only is law enforcement addressing the issue to ensure public trust in the police does not suffer further strain, but Langa also said, “The SAPS takes a zero tolerance approach for opening false cases, as a lot of resources were also used unnecessary and no one is above the law.”
This incident highlights the critical vulnerability that arises when those charged with upholding the law are implicated in its breach, particularly in a context where thousands of SAPS-issued firearms have been reported lost or stolen nationally in recent years.
Such cases, though isolated, expose potential weaknesses in personal responsibility and inter-agency collaboration that demand rigorous scrutiny to prevent erosion of institutional credibility.
Ultimately, the decisive action taken here— swift detention, formal charges, and a reaffirmation of accountability—must translate into tangible outcomes through the courts and internal processes.
Only through consistent enforcement of these standards can SAPS demonstrate that breaches of trust, no matter how rare, will face tangible consequences, thereby safeguarding the foundational principle that those who enforce the law are held to its highest demands.
As always, Newcastillian News will keep readers updated on the developments.
What are your thoughts on this?
Do not forget to read, Eskom Electricity Price Hike 2026: NERSA Recalculation Could Push Tariffs Up 10.5%, if you missed it.
2 Responses
These are the very same 2 people that are involved in drugs,and covering up of crimes for their dear friends n family of course with a price.
Think they are above the law. Ghafoor also conducts searches of properties and homes without warrants and nothing gets done about it. Birbal is corrupt as well.
SERIOUS CHARGERS…THIS IS NONSENSE HAD IT BEEN SERIOUS THEY WILL NOT BE OUT ON BAIL…AS USUAL THE LAW IS BLIND WEN IT COMES TO PPL IN UNIFORM…I WONDER IF THE BOY WHO STOLE THE FIREARM IS ALSO OUT ON BAIL…I DOUBT IT…CRIME FIGHTERS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING PUBLIC SAFETY AND UPHOLDING THE RULE OF THE LAW.NOT JOINING POLICE AND BECOMING CRIMANALS.WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM