Police have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests after seizing an arms cache, explosives and 50 000 mandrax tablets at a storage facility in Bellville South.

A 41-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man were nabbed following the raid. According to Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa the 26 firearms found include three AK 47 rifles, twelve 9mm pistols, and four shotguns.

A large quantity of ammunition as well as six M26 grenades were also confiscated alongside the mandrax. A storage facility in Stikland was also raided where two kilograms of heroin was found.

The suspects face charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives and drugs.

[Picture: Supplied]

Meanwhile, the national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has commended the Anti-Gang Unit and Crime Intelligence officers for these successful raids.

Speaking at the opening of a strategy session to tackle transnational organised crime in Gauteng, the police chief noted that the prevention and combatting of drug dealing and trafficking as well as the proliferation of firearms remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies.

More than 16 000 firearms were recently destroyed by SAPS.

These firearms were either seized during operations or surrendered or forfeited to the state.

According to Masemola the police’s Operation Shanela sees on average the seizure and confiscation of no less than 100 illegal and unlicensed firearms on a weekly basis.

Gun violence is one of the crimes that South Africa is struggling to curb.