A multi-agency police operation in Johannesburg resulted in the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of loaded firearms. Authorities say the operation was coordinated across multiple law enforcement units, with further investigations pointing towards connections inside Johannesburg Prison (Sun City).
By Staff Reporter
JOHANNESBURG — A coordinated, intelligence-driven operation by Gauteng law enforcement agencies has led to the arrest of two key suspects linked to a fatal shooting incident in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD).
The breakthrough has exposed an alleged R130,000 contract killing plot reportedly masterminded from within a local correctional facility.
The multi-agency operation, which took place between 22 and 23 June 2026, comprised members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit (TRU), Cluster A Operations, the Gauteng Traffic Police Special Law Enforcement Unit, and Provincial Intelligence.
The suspects are linked to a murder and shooting incident involving foreign nationals at the intersection of Jeppe and Von Wielligh Streets, footage of which had previously been widely circulated on social media platforms.
Operational Execution and Trail of Arrests
According to a JMPD incident report, operational units acted on intelligence gathered regarding the location of individuals involved in the CBD attack.
At approximately 15:00 on Monday, 22 June, undercover officers proceeded to a tuck shop situated at the corner of Tudhope and Lilly Streets, where the primary suspect, identified as Amen Ngubane, was apprehended.
During initial questioning, Ngubane implicated two additional suspects, prompting immediate follow-up operations across multiple law enforcement clusters:
Soweto: Units proceeded to an address in Klipspruit, in an attempt to arrest a second suspect, Thami Ntshangase. The suspect was not present at the residence and remains at large.
Hillbrow: Follow-up investigations to locate Nkosikhona Kwazi Mabizela led authorities to a sports bar on Pretoria Street in Hillbrow at approximately 22:45. While the suspect was not present, officers encountered two armed individuals. Their licensed firearms were seized as exhibits for ballistic testing.
Jeppe Hostel: Under the guidance of a relative, units subsequently cordoned off Room 166 at the Jeppe Hostel, where the third suspect, Nkosikhona Kwazi Mabizela, was successfully apprehended. A search of the premises was conducted, though no further exhibits were recovered.
During the course of these inner-city sweeps, authorities confiscated a silver and black revolver loaded with six live rounds of ammunition, as well as a second brown and silver revolver containing an additional six live rounds.
These weapons have been booked into evidence and submitted to forensic specialists for urgent ballistic verification to determine whether they match the ammunition casings recovered from the original crime scene.
Allegations of a Prison-Controlled Plot
Following the arrests, the suspects were transferred to the Johannesburg Central South African Police Service (SAPS) station for formal processing and intensive interrogation.
During questioning, the suspects alleged that the shooting was orchestrated by an incarcerated individual known as “Mr John”, believed to be a foreign national of Somali or Ethiopian origin currently detained at the Johannesburg Medium B Correctional Centre, widely known as Sun City Prison. The suspects further alleged that they were promised, and subsequently paid, a sum of R130,000 to execute the crime.
The JMPD Directorate of Operations has confirmed that while key suspects have been detained, investigations remain ongoing. Current efforts are focused on completing the forensic testing of the seized weaponry and verifying the identity of the alleged mastermind in cooperation with correctional authorities.