The Police at White River attended a Domestic Violence incident to serve the respondent with a Protection Order, yesterday Wednesday, 03 January 2024. A total of about four firearms, including two rifles as well as more than 200 ammunition were reportedly found and that was when a 21-year-old man was arrested for possession of unlicenced firearms with ammunition.
According to information, which they gathered since their arrival in attendance of an incident which was related to Domestic Violence, the members from White River somehow suspected a possibility of firearms being present in the house.
As a result, the astute members immediately conducted a search inside the house and it was during this period when they discovered the four firearms, which include two hunting rifles, a shotgun, and a revolver. About 218 live ammunition for various calibres of firearms (shotgun, hunting rifles, and for a revolver) are additional items that were found in the said house. The man failed to produce firearm licence(s) for the said firearms hence he was arrested as well as charged accordingly.
The confiscated firearms will surely undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were not previously used in the commission of crime elsewhere.
As things stand, the man is due to appear at the White River Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday 04 January 2024, facing the said charges. Police cannot rule out the possibility of more charges added against him as the investigation continues.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the professional and exceptional work done by the men and women in Blue. “We are so proud of these members for their vigilance and for the manner in which they acted. They possibly prevented the loss of life as we are aware that firearms in the wrong hands often poses danger. We hope that justice will be served, “said the General.