A nine-hour police operation which started at 7pm yesterday and continued until 4am this morning, yielded positive results when five unlicensed firearms and various rounds of  ammunition were recovered in the Msinga area.

The operation was led by the SAPS Pietermaritzburg Public Order Policing Unit Task Team and Estcourt Crime Intelligence Unit.

They will appear in the Msinga Magistrate’s Court today,  December 14.

Members were doing their Festive Season operation at  the Ngcengeni, Ezimvini and Sampofu areas  raiding for illegal firearms. They were led to various homesteads which resulted in recovering a total of five illegal firearms which includes a .38 revolver, two .22 assault rifles, R4 assault rifle and a pistol. A total of 90 live rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the operation. Three of the five recovered firearms were found abandoned. The other two were found in possession of the suspects.

A total of 90 live rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the operation. Three of the five recovered firearms were found abandoned. The other two were found in possession of the suspects.

Three of the five recovered firearms were found abandoned. The other two were found in possession of the suspects.

“The members have vowed to continue with such operations in the province to recover illegal firearms during this festive season. These firearms are used in faction fights and taxi-related incidents and by recovering such firearms we may prevent such cases during this festive season. The police appeal to the public to provide us with  any information about any criminal activities in their areas including illegal firearms. Anyone who wish to provide information can contact our Crime stop number 08600 10111,” said the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni.