Weapons cache, dagga greenhouse bust in Pretoria

Residents in Centurion and Pretoria are once again being urged to get to know their neighbours as this was vital to fighting crime in the area, according to police, Rekord Centurion reports.

The call came after police uncovered a dagga cultivation lab and an arms cache in Wierdapark, Centurion, this week.

Copious amounts of dagga and weapons were found at a house in Gemsbok Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Police officers from Pretoria and Soshanguve K9-units found the drugs and guns inside the house after they received a tip-off from the public.

Gauteng community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko said authorities were always urging residents to know their neighbours.

“If the neighbours of the owner of this premises had known him, they would have alerted police long ago,” she said.

“Know your neighbour. Know what he or she does for a living.”

Mazibuko was speaking to the media outside the house on Wednesday morning.

“Some of these things are happening in our communities and right under our noses,” she said.

“Let’s participate. These are just some of the results of building a safer Gauteng for all.

“We commend the police officers but the information must come from resident members who can keep supplying this information.”

Acting police minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the success highlighted what can be achieved when police and residents work together.

“This looks like an ordinary home and police would have passed by were it not for the information they received,” he said.

“It is clear that fighting crime is not only a job for police but for all of us.”

A 50-year-old man was arrested after several firearms, including AK-47 rifles and rocket launchers, were found on the premises.

The man claimed to be a collector but police argued the firearms had not been deactivated as collector items should.

Police were also investigating his supplier.