13 suspected armed robbers nabbed yesterday

A TIP-OFF about illegal firearms led to the arrest of 13 men, believed to be armed robbers, at Klipfontein farm, in Gluckstad, near Vryheid, on Sunday.
Police found 10 unlicensed firearms, including two shotguns, seven 9mm pistols, and a .38 special revolver, as well as ammunition and a number of cell-phones believed to have been stolen, during a raid of the house in which the men were hiding. A white Toyota Corolla, which had been reported stolen in Chatsworth last month, was also recovered.
A shootout is said to have broken out after the suspects attempted to resist arrest.
One of the suspects was admitted to Vryheid Hospital with an injury to his shin.
“It is believed that the suspects were hiding out in the said house, and they may be linked to a number of armed robberies in the province,” said SAPS media correspondent, Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane.
The success was the result of a joint intelligence-driven operation by police from the Zululand Cluster, including Crime Intelligence, the Special Task Force, the Vispol Task Team, and the Public Order Police Unit.
The arrested suspects, between the ages of 24 and 36 appeared at the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic testing to establish if they were used in any crimes that were committed.
The KwaZulu-Natal acting provincial commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, praised the police officers involved for their outstanding work, which led to the arrests and recovery of illegal firearms. “We also wish to thank members of the community who assist police by providing us with information on criminal activity. We cannot win the fight on crime alone,” he said.

(Photo sourced from the internet)