Police arrest three Malawian suspects in Durban CBD
Police received a tip-off that the foreign nationals were working with locals in a plan to commit a business robbery.
Five men, including undocumented Malawian nationals, were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition over the weekend.
The suspects are set to appear at the Durban Magistrate’s Court today (July 14) following their arrest on Sunday. Additional charges were meted on the three foreign nationals for being in the country illegally.
According to SAPS Durban Central spokesperson, Sergeant Zanele Khomo, the suspects were cornered on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street after a positive tip-off from an informant.
“Members of the Durban Central Field Unit B team were patrolling the CBD at about 19:00 when they received information from an informer about foreign nationals working with locals planning to commit a business robbery in the Durban Central policing precinct.
“Members acted on information and looked for a motor vehicle they were traveling in. The vehicle was spotted at around 19:30 near a parking lot at Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street. The police approached the vehicle with blue lights. Two suspects jumped out and started running. One of the suspects was in possession of a firearm; a chase ensued, and members were able to intercept both suspects and place them under arrest,” Khomo said.
“Three more suspects who were in the vehicle were arrested. Upon searching them, another replica firearm was recovered under the car seat. A total of five suspects were arrested. Three of the suspects are Malawian foreign nationals, who are illegal immigrants,” Khomo added.
Also read: ‘Large volume’ of illicit cigarettes seized at CBD businesses
The second firearm was reportedly positively linked to a case opened at Point SAPS.
“Five suspects, in their 30s, were detained at Durban Central SAPS free from any visible injuries, and will appear in court on Tuesday.”
Exhibits that were seized by police include one 9mm cal. Browning MOD.83, two magazines, 18 live rounds, one blank gun blow P29 cal. 9mm, and a blue Renault Triber.
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