According to a media statement issued by the Provincial Commissioners office, the three suspects aged 36 and 33 turned onto the N4 before encountering the waiting police officials between Wonderfontein and Alzu.

The suspects were searched whereby three handguns were found in their possession.

All suspects failed to produce firearm licences and moreover all the firearms had their serial numbers filed off.

The officials continued to search intensely inside the car and further discovered an R1 assault rifle as well as an additional handgun. The serial numbers for both firearms were also filed off.

Preliminary investigation by the Police further reveals that the blue Toyota Corolla they were traveling in was reported stolen in Witbank during November last year and that the recovered firearms include a R1 assault rifle, .38 Special revolver, Star Norinco pistol, Taurus pistol and Parabelum pistol coupled with 40 live rounds for an R1 assault rifle as well as 57 live rounds for a handgun.

The firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were used previously in the commission of crime and the possibility that more charges could be added against the suspects as the investigation continues.

The arrested suspects who reportedly indicated that they were heading to the Kingdom of Eswatini before making a U-turn back to Witbank.

They are expected to appear in Middelburg Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of illegal possession of firearms with ammunition, possession of suspected stolen vehicle as well as for possession of suspected stolen mobile phones.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was overwhelmed by this great achievement.

“I am so delighted that our members managed to prevent possible armed robberies, possible heists as well as possible loss of lives. We are indeed paving a way for the residents to live in a secured and safe environment,” said the General.