Police in Pienaar are investigating a case involving several firearms that were abandoned and recovered on Wednesday, November 19.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the SAPS received reports of a group of individuals allegedly transporting firearms from Mataffin to Pienaar in a white Nissan bakkie.

She said duty officers were alerted, and the vehicle was spotted a short while later in the Mkhatsini (Karino) area. Pienaar SAPS was notified and members followed the vehicle.

“Two men were seated in the back of the vehicle. As it approached Moyeni Mall, the vehicle slowed down, enabling both passengers to jump out with a white bag before fleeing into nearby bushes. The vehicle then sped off,” she said.

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Ndubane added that during the pursuit of the suspects fleeing on foot, police discovered two maize meal bags, apparently dropped by the suspects. Upon inspection, the bags were found to contain firearms and ammunition.

The items recovered were: two brown rifles, one fitted with a zoomed black scope and brown shoulder belt; a black Gladiator shotgun with a black shoulder belt; one black waist ammunition belt; two green shotgun rounds; 17 red shotgun rounds; and six white shotgun rounds.

“All items were seized, and their lawful owners are being traced. The firearms will undergo forensic testing to determine whether they were used in the commission of any crimes,” Ndubane added.

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Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearms were stolen during a residential burglary in White River.

SAPS has urged anyone with information that may assist in the arrest of the suspects to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information via the My SAPS app.