11 firearms recovered during crime combating operation in Gauteng

The South African Police Service (SAPS) embarked on a crime combating operation over the past weekend and seized 11 firearms.

Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said 11 firearms of varying calibre are due to be taken for ballistic examination as they might be linked to serious and violent crimes in Gauteng. “These firearms were seized from suspects who were arrested during the weekend o kae molao operations in various areas of Gauteng that include Ferndale and Tembisa.”

Masondo explained that the suspects from whom the firearms were seized are due to appear in various Magistrates’ Courts on charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The suspects may face more charges as the investigation continues.

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In an unrelated issue, three suspects alleged to be behind the spate of house robberies in Ferndale and Randburg were arrested on Saturday,  14 March. Masondo said that police received information about the whereabouts of the suspects.

“The information that was immediately operationalised led the police to Ferndale where three suspects were arrested after they were found with two unlicensed firearms, ammunition, suspected stolen properties and housebreaking implements,” added Masondo.

The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Gauteng, Major General André Wiese said, “Without information from the members of the public, these firearms would still be out there and used to commit serious and violent crimes. We are urging the members of the public to continue to pass information about criminal activities as together we can bring crime down to the minimal. ”

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