Six suspects arrested for impersonating police and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition

The District Commissioner of Mangaung Metro, Major General Arthur Peter Adams, commended the vigilance and sterling work from members of the police who arrested six suspects in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. A multi-disciplinary roadblock was assembled on the R702 manned by members of Visible Policing, Public Order Police, K9 Unit and Immigration Officers as part of the second phase of Operation Yehlisa Operation Shanela. The objective of the operation is to curb cross-border crimes and intercept movement of stolen and illicit goods as well as illegal immigration.

A Toyota Fortuner was spotted without registration number plates at front end and was stopped. The members then approached the driver, introduced themselves, and the purpose of the roadblock. The vehicle and the occupants were then searched and a pistol loaded with 12 live rounds of ammunition was found on the side of the driver. A pistol with two rounds of ammunition was found hidden inside a file. A Brown BLOW F92 with 10 rounds was found rolled with a Blue jacket. The members searched further and found the fourth firearm, a Black Taurus pistol with a filed off serial number loaded with 10 rounds.

A red police crime scene manager jacket, Silver handcuffs, pepper spray and a docket cover with some bizarre charge that has to do with precious minerals written on it were also found inside the motor vehicle clearly indicating that the suspects were impersonating the police. The six males aged between 27 and 53 were immediately arrested.

A case docket for possession of unlicensed firearms and impersonating the police was opened at Bloemspruit Police Station. The suspects were detained in police custody and will appear in Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon.