East Rand: Firearms seized at Chloorkop Taxi Rank, 12 nabbed
“It was discovered the security officers were allegedly escorting the five men who were illegally collecting money from taxi drivers at the taxi rank,” said Captain Neldah Sekgobela.
Members of the Ekurhuleni SAPS District Office and metro police officers seized seven firearms and arrested 12 suspects in Chloorkop on Tuesday, Kempton Express reports.
This came after police received a tip-off of suspicious activity at the Chloorkop Taxi Rank on Ampere Street.
“Upon arrival, police found seven armed security officers who alleged they were sent to guard the rank by their security company in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Captain Neldah Sekgobela, Ekurhuleni District spokesperson.
“It was surprising that none of the men had permits but they were carrying firearms in public.”
Five of the firearms were rifles and the other two pistols. Sekgobela said further investigations on the scene revealed five more suspects.
“It was discovered the security officers were allegedly escorting the five men who were illegally collecting money from taxi drivers at the taxi rank,” said Sekgobela.
“An undisclosed amount of cash that was allegedly taken from the taxi drivers was found in the five suspects’ possession. The suspects were arrested by Norkem Park SAPS on charges of armed robbery.”
Sekgobela said although the firearms were licensed, the seven security officers were fined for having the company’s firearms without a permit, according to the Firearm Control Act 6/2000.
Police also found the suspects in possession of 89 rounds of live ammunition for various types of firearms.
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