What began as a routine community concern over a suspicious “health inspector” quickly escalated into a high-stakes weapons bust. On Saturday, 11 May 2025, a 34-year-old man was arrested in L Section, Mangaung, after being caught posing as a health inspector — while illegally carrying a concealed firearm and stashing a small arsenal in his vehicle.
For days, the man allegedly moved from shop to shop under the guise of checking for expired goods, fooling store owners and staff with his fake role. But something didn’t sit right with residents. He reportedly carried himself with aggression, and most suspicious of all — he was armed.
At around 15:30, vigilant community members in M Section confronted the man inside a local store and quickly contacted the police.
Task Team Moves In
Officers from the Mangaung Metro Crime Combating Task Team responded with urgency. Upon searching the suspect, they found a Taurus 9mm pistol hidden on his person. But that was just the beginning.
Inside his white Chevrolet Utility bakkie, police uncovered a shockingly well-stocked weapons cache:
- 🔸 235 rounds of 9mm ammunition
- 🔸 A shotgun loaded with six 12-gauge shells
- 🔸 Two DM-4 semi-automatic rifles chambered in 5.56mm
None of the weapons — or the ammunition — were licensed, according to investigators.
Major Charges Pending
The suspect faces multiple charges, including impersonating a public official, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and intent to commit a violent crime. Authorities are also investigating possible links to criminal syndicates or other illicit activities.
Police spokesperson Captain Motlatsi Mofokeng commended the community’s alertness, saying, “This man posed a serious threat. Thanks to quick action by residents and officers, a potentially deadly situation was averted.”
Community on Edge
The bust has left locals shaken. “We thought he was from the government,” said one store owner. “He had a clipboard and everything. Who knows what could’ve happened if he wasn’t stopped?”
Investigations are ongoing as law enforcement seeks to uncover the full motive behind the impersonation — and what he planned to do with the weapons.
