Police in Gauteng recovered more than 50 unlicensed firearms that include high calibre automatic rifles and more than 680 ammunition that are believed to have been used in the commission of serious and violent crimes. Police have this past week intercepted armed criminals and acted on crime intelligence information and tip-offs where scores of weapons were seized and suspects arrested.
Police arrested a 36-year-old man for possession of an unlicensed firearm and pointing of firearm after threatening his ex-wife. It is reported that the suspect went to the house of his ex-wife, pointed her with a firearm, and ordered her to get into the vehicle. She managed to escape and alerted the police who responded promptly. Police searched and arrested the suspect in Bophelong, Sedibeng, after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
On Thursday, 23 July 2021, police officers from Tshwane District, Tshwane Central Crime Intelligence, and Mamelodi East Crime Prevention acted on information about a person who was in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Mamelodi East. On arrival at the address, police found the 32-year-old man with an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and he was arrested.
Police were conducting patrols on Wednesday, 21 July 2021, at 01h15 at Eikenhof when they noticed a charcoal Toyota Fortuner that looked suspicious. They pulled over the vehicle but the driver failed to stop. The members managed to intercept the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle and the occupant, police found 49 rifle live rounds. The suspect was arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed ammunition.
Other suspects who were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition include the two most wanted suspects from Olievenhoutbosch and 19 suspects who were found with four AK-47 rifles, three R-5 rifles, two pistols, and scores of ammunition.
Furthermore, a total of 1328 suspects were arrested in Gauteng over the weekend when members of the South African Police Service in the province partnered with members of South African National Defence Force, National Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Police, Metropolitan Police Departments, Home Affairs, South African Receiver of Revenue and Private Security Companies to fight the scourge of lawlessness in the province. These suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, rape, operating a shop without valid documents, dealing in drugs, contravening Disaster Management Act Regulations, driving under the influence of liquor, undocumented persons, possession of dangerous weapons, unlicensed firearm, ammunition, business robberies, house robberies, and theft.
The Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Tommy Mthombeni, applauded the collaboration between the police and other law enforcement agencies to instill stability in the province and bring perpetrators of crime and violence to book. “These arrests and confiscations are a clear indication that the criminals cannot do as they wish in our province and that together with other law enforcement agencies we will continue to squeeze the space for the criminals. As the province, we remain committed to creating a safer Gauteng and we will continue to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms,” said Major General Mthombeni
Some arrested suspects already appeared in various courts across the province while others are expected to appear on Monday, 26 July 2021.
Gauteng Police recover more than 50 unlicensed firearms that include high calibre automatic rifles and ammunition in the past week as more than 1320 suspects arrested https://t.co/GzZL8X5QEX#ArriveAlive #UnlicensedFirearms #Enforcement @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/Y9cagHdE73
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 26, 2021