De Aar Police Recover 15 000 Historic Ammunition Rounds Worth R7 Million

Municipal workers made an unexpected discovery in Sunrise, De Aar, when they came across crates containing thousands of rounds of historic ammunition.

Police recovered approximately 15 000 rounds valued at an estimated R7 million following an operation involving military personnel. The ammunition is believed to date back to the Anglo-Boer War.

De Aar Ammunition Discovery Triggers Police Investigation

The De Aar ammunition discovery took place on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, while municipal employees were working near Malay Camp in Sunrise.

They alerted police after finding the crates, prompting officers to assess the scene. The ammunition was identified as .303 rounds believed to be from the Anglo-Boer War era.

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A multidisciplinary team comprising the Local Criminal Record Centre, Explosives Unit, K9 Unit and Sunrise detectives was subsequently deployed.

Police registered an enquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discovery. The team later returned to retrieve the ammunition safely.

De Aar Police Recover 15 000 Rounds With Military Assistance

The De Aar ammunition recovery operation took place on Friday, 9 October, with military personnel assisting police at the site. Approximately 15 000 rounds were collected during the operation. Their estimated value is R7 million.

Authorities have since declared the surrounding area safe. Investigations into how the ammunition came to be stored at the location are continuing. Police have not provided further details about its origin or how long it had been there.

Following the De Aar ammunition discovery, police have urged members of the public to avoid touching or tampering with suspected ammunition and explosives. Such items may pose a danger, particularly when their condition and history are unknown. Anyone who discovers similar materials should report them to the police immediately.