Police operations aimed at eradicating the proliferation of firearms in the province resulted in arrests and recoveries in January.
The operations were conducted within the Uthukela, Umzinyathi and King Cetshwayo Clusters from January 4 to 24 by officers from Public Order Policing (POP) in KZN, the Tactical Response Team and Provincial Task Team.
Suspects were arrested for crimes such as murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and robbery. Arrests were also made for housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs, as well as possession of suspected stolen property within policing areas that included Ezakheni, Amangwe, Ladysmith Upper Tugela and Weenen.
Also read: Officers make arrests and recover firearms, ammunition
A total of 64 firearms – including rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers – and 385 rounds of ammunition were confiscated from the suspects and others found abandoned.
Eight stolen motor vehicles were recovered, as well as more than 5kg of cocaine.
The suspects were charged and appeared in various magistrate’s courts. The recovered firearms will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine if they were used in any crimes in the country.
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