KWAMASHU SAPS members recovered a firearm which has been linked to a local armed robbery, while on patrol in the area on 30 July.
The police were following up on information they had received about the unlicensed firearm, at Jabula Road in KwaMashu hostel.
According to Major Thulani Zwane from provincial SAPS, on their arrival the members searched a shack and found a .38 revolver with one live round.
“A 32-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. It was established that the recovered firearm was one of the firearms taken during the robbery at Umbilo,” he said. This crime occurred on 17 June at about 5.30pm. Security guards were at Turners Avenue in Umbilo, and while preparing to resume their duties they were allegedly accosted by three armed men who robbed them of 13 firearms. No shots were fired and no injuries were sustained during the incident. A case of armed robbery was opened at Umbilo police station.
“The investigation will reveal if the arrested suspect was part of the gang that committed the robbery. He is expected to appear in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” said Zwane.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni was pleased with the positive result produced by the members during their operations. “We will continue to work hard to fight crime and eliminate the illegal firearms in the possession of wrong hands in KwaZulu-Natal,” she said
