Suspect arrested with two unlicensed firearms and ammunition
The Middelburg Police arrested a 31-year-old suspect yesterday and two unlicensed pistols with ammunition were seized.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, was impressed by the notable mark made in the recovery of unlicensed firearms by police in the province.
According to the Provincial Spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the Middelburg Police members were patrolling the N11 road near Kranspoort.
They stopped a white Toyota Rumion with seven occupants inside.
This was followed by a search that was conducted on the occupants.
The astute members discovered a black bag with two firearms inside, a 9 mm pistol as well as a silver Tokarev pistol.
Each of the pistols had a magazine and ammunition.
The suspect failed to produce licences, whereafter he was arrested and charged.
The confiscated firearms will undergo some ballistic testing to establish whether they were not used in the commission of crime elsewhere.
Therefore police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against him as the investigation continues.
*Manqoba Mahlangu appeared in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court today, facing charges related to possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The case was postponed to 19 July for a formal bail application.
*General Manamela commended the members for the dedication that they showed especially in the fight against the proliferation of firearms in the society.
“It is indisputable that the calibre of men and women in Blue that we have in this province are really making an effort in fighting crime at all angles with a clear mandate from the Constitution of South Africa, that of creating safety for all inhabitants with their properties and bringing perpetrators to book.
“We hope that by this will boost public confidence on police whilst elevating the morale of the members to continue to be productive for the benefit of the communities.”
