A series of operations conducted by the Public Order Policing (POP) Unit between Wednesday, October 15, and Monday, October 20, in the Uthukela and Ilembe districts resulted in the recovery of several unlicensed firearms.

During the first operation on the 15th, officers went to Colenso. There, they arrested an elderly woman, Mrs Fanisela Mdletshe (72), for being in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol with seven rounds of ammunition.

The team then moved to Estcourt, where Khulekani Khoza (42) was apprehended for possession of an unlicensed shotgun.

The final operation was conducted in Emoyeni, under the Amangwe policing precinct. Upon entering a homestead and announcing their presence, officers came under fire from inside the house. Police retaliated and a man was shot. A homemade shotgun and seven rounds of ammunition were recovered at the scene. The shooter was rushed to hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries.

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Other illegal firearms were also recovered and the ops ended with five people being arrested on October 20.

All the arrested suspects have appeared in court and were granted bail. The recovered firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in any crimes in the country.

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