By Teboho Moloi
KROONSTAD — A major security breach at the Moqhaka Local Municipality’s Parks Department offices has left authorities scrambling after more than 40 municipal firearms and over 1 000 rounds of ammunition were stolen in an overnight burglary on Monday, 1 December 2025.
Municipal employees arriving for work on Monday morning were shocked to find the armoury door wide open. According to municipal spokesperson Dika Kheswa, two steel safes inside the armoury had been forced open with what appeared to be a grinding tool.
Kheswa said police were immediately called to the scene, and preliminary investigations confirmed that a large cache of firearms and security equipment had been taken.
“Approximately 43 firearms — including 9mm pistols, revolvers and pump-action guns — as well as about 1 105 rounds of ammunition and six bulletproof vests were stolen,” Kheswa said.
The break-in was discovered by an employee reporting for duty, who noticed that the alarm control box had been destroyed before finding the breached armoury.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said a manhunt is underway and a case of business burglary has been opened. He said investigators believe the burglary occurred at around 00:55 on Monday morning.
“Further inspection revealed that the door to the armoury had been forcibly opened, seemingly with a grinding tool. It is also suspected that the suspects gained access to the building by breaking through a wall adjacent to a bathroom,” Kareli said.
Police have appealed to the public to assist with information that may lead to arrests and the recovery of the stolen weapons. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Colonel Ben Bolsiek of Provincial Organised Crime on 082 466 8530, call the SAPS Crime Stop line on 08600 10111, or submit an anonymous tip-off via the MySAPS app.
