Task team clamps down on weapons

On Wednesday May 6, nine firearms and 270 live rounds of ammunition were confiscated by members of the Provincial Task Team deployed in Newcastle.

The objectives of the task team are to alleviate crime in the area, and to find leads to help Hawks and Crime Intelligence workers trace down those suspects involved in the recent taxi violence related murders.

Nine security guards, placed on duty at the Newcastle Taxi Rank by the municipality, were arrested, and the weapons in question were seized.

“The confiscated firearms will be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in the commission of crime in the province,” said provincial police spokesperson, Major Thulani Zwane.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said the ballistic tests would prove whether these weapons had been used recently, and if so, if they had any connection to the recent murders.

“The members deployed in the area will stabilise the situation and bring peace while members of the Hawks and Crime Intelligence work around the clock, tracing those involved in the killing of taxi owners in the area,” she explained.

Lieutenant General Ngobeni said: “After these murder cases, I called an urgent meeting in Newcastle on May 6, with all role players from transport department, municipality, all taxi associations involved and the police to address the current situation in Newcastle area. I have also deployed Public Order Police to monitor the situation and bring back peace in the area.”

However, while the arrests and seizing of the weapons were commended, confidential sources revealed that a case of assault common had been opened against the task team following alleged police brutality during the arrests.

Allegedly, a Newcastle police officer was also made to lie down with the other suspects in the area, and was allegedly physically abused by the task team.

The case is being investigated by Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) which is an independent body that oversees the actions of the police, and conducts independent and impartial investigations of identified criminal offences allegedly committed by members of the police.

Police spokesperson, Captain Shooz Magudulela said it was unfortunate that a police officer was caught up within the programme.

“Certain operations within the police are not announced for security reasons. Members who are caught between the operation know which procedure is to be followed as they are from inside and are aware of the channels,” he said.

However, witnesses say this did not stop the police officer from allegedly receiving a few kicks while he lay with the rest of the suspects pleading his innocence and explaining that he himself was a police officer.

Capt. Magudulela did shed some light on the arrests and confiscation of weapons from security guards.

“Uniform, weapons, permits were contrary to the requirements of Act 60 of 2000. Security guards are aware of what is required from them in terms of the Act,” he said.

Capt. Magudulela advised community members to contact 08600 10111 with new information that could lead to the arrest of suspects linked to the taxi violence.