A high caliber assault rifle was one of the illegal firearms recovered during the ongoing high density operations held across Johannesburg District.
These operations that started on Friday, 24 January to Sunday, 26 January 2025, also resulted in the arrest of 298 arrests for various offences.
In Orlando, on 25 January 2025 at about 05:00, police members from Vala Umgodi operation were conducting an intelligence driven exercise at Nomzamo Park area when they received information about suspects in possession of high calibre firearms. They proceeded to the mentioned address at Lahlumlenze informal settlement, where they were met by hail of bullets. The police returned fire, and no one was injured. Two suspects aged 28 were arrested for possession of unlicensed AK47 rifle and 350 AK47 live rounds.
During Operation Shanela which was held around Alexandra and Dobsonville policing precinct, police joined by other law enforcement agencies that includes Department of Home affairs, Department of Community Safety, JMPD, Traffic Wardens, Private Security companies and Community Patrollers arrested 52 suspects for crimes ranging from possession of drugs, dealing in liquor without license, undocumented persons, drunk and driving and malicious damage to property.
About 27 suspects were also arrested during the Firearm, liquor, second-hand goods (Flash), and counterfeit operation, which was held around Hillbrow policing precinct on 24 January 2025. Two suspects were arrested for the Contravention of Second-Hand Goods Act 6 of 2009 section 21(1), possession of suspected stolen property, one suspect for money laundering and bribery including 24 undocumented persons.
During high density operations that were held in Hillbrow and Eldorado Park policing area, two suspects were also arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms (pistols)and ammunitions .
219 suspects were also arrested by the detectives during operations that were held throughout the District for different crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm, rape, sexual assault, house robbery, armed robbery, assault with intention to do grievous bodily harm, theft, burglary and other crimes.
The arrested suspects will appear at various magistrate courts soon.
The Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Molefi Tsotsotso commended all stakeholders and members for removing illegal firearms from the streets and for ensuring the safety and security of the community of Johannesburg.
An AK47 amongst the firearms recovered in Johannesburg during operations https://t.co/EHdDEhtajq#ArriveAlive #GunsOffTheStreets @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/k9Y88BjrUy
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 27, 2025
