A 34-year-old male suspect was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition at Gxulu locality in Libode yesterday the 09 April 2018 at about 18h00.
The Provincial Taxi Violence Task Team followed up on information that led them to a suspect who was in possession of an illegal Z88 Pistol, 2 magazines and 23 rounds of ammunition.
The pistol was robbed from a police officer at Gxulu on the 21 March 2018 when the members were attending to a shooting incident where a 48-year-old taxi driver was shot and fatally wounded by unknown assailants.
Whilst attending to the incident, the members were accosted by a group of taxi operators who stabbed and injured them and stoned the state motor vehicle. They were rushed to a hospital for medical attention and later released. In retaliation, members fired some shots that fatally wounded a 24-year-old taxi man. An attempted murder and robbery cases were opened and investigated by the police.
The suspect, Nyanisile Magadla(34) who faces charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition made a brief appearance in the Libode Magistrate’s Court today and was remanded in custody for further investigation till 11 May 2018.
Investigations will reveal whether the suspect is linked to the attempted murder and robbery cases which occurred on the 21 March.
As part of the forensic investigation, the recovered firearm will be sent for ballistic testing to ascertain its linkage to other crimes.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Andre Swart commended the team and said, “The recovery of this stolen state firearm and arrest of a suspect is an indication that we are making positive strides in reaffirming the authority of the State whilst restoring peace on the Mthatha taxi routes. We will continue to eliminate all elements of public violence that threaten the lives of the community. The Taxi Violence Task Team will leave no stone unturned. We have also just heightened our efforts to bring to book all those behind the shootings and killings in the taxi violence.
He emphasized that police have the duty to protect the inhabitants of this country and will continue to do so without any fear or intimidation.
