SAPS Flags Major Discrepancies in Firearm Audit of Security Tycoon Calvin Mathibeli After Failed Court Bid

KZN SAPS flags discrepancies in an 800-firearm audit of Calvin Mathibeli’s security firm following his failed court bid to stop the inspection.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 8:40 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from EWN

Record Discrepancies at Calvin and Family Group

A major firearm compliance operation is currently underway at the Durban North premises of the Calvin and Family Group, led by heavily armed units of the KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service (SAPS). On March 19, 2026, authorities confirmed they are investigating a mismatch between the physical inventory of weapons on-site and the company’s official licensing records. While the company’s designated firearm officer claimed a total of 815 weapons, police records indicate the firm should possess over 850. This gap has prompted a deeper investigation into the whereabouts and legality of the missing hardware.

The Legal Battle to Halt Inspections

The police raid followed a decisive judicial setback for Calvin Mathibeli. On the day prior to the inspection, the security mogul attempted to secure an urgent court order to halt the police audit, but the bid was unsuccessful. This failed legal challenge cleared the way for the Provincial Commissioner’s office to proceed with a full-scale verification of the 800+ firearms registered to the security firm. According to Nhlanhla Mabaso, the court's refusal to intervene underscores the state's authority to enforce the Firearms Control Act within the private security sector.

Escalating Tension with Commissioner Mkhwanazi

The audit is unfolding against a backdrop of severe personal and legal friction between Mathibeli and KZN Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The relationship deteriorated further after Mkhwanazi successfully won a defamation interdict against Mathibeli. The businessman had publicly accused the commissioner of weaponizing the police force to settle private vendettas—a claim the court ordered him to retract while also mandating he cover Mkhwanazi’s legal expenses. Police have maintained that the current firearm audit is a routine compliance matter, despite Mathibeli's assertions of bias.