Group of foreign nationals arrested with illegal firearms and ammo
They were spotted in a suspicious-looking Isuzu bakkie parked in the veld and have been arrested for the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Police in Bekkersdal is continuing to clamp down on illegal firearms. This after having arrested four foreign nationals for the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition near the Cooke 2 mine in Bekkersdal on Wednesday, February 15.
“The intervention team members were on their routine crime prevention duties when they spotted a suspicious-looking Isuzu bakkie parked in the veld,” said Bekkersdal police spokesperson Sergeant Linkie Lefakane.
She added, “They approached the vehicle intending to search it but as they got closer to the vehicle, the driver sped off at a high speed. The members gave chase and managed to corner the bakkie which had four occupants inside the car, including the driver.
“During this time, police officers also moved on to search the vehicle and that’s where they recovered the firearms. All four occupants who are aged 24, 32, 37, and 45 were placed under arrest for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition after they failed to produce the necessary documentation. They will be charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and for contravention of the Immigration Act.
“Both firearms will also be sent to forensics for further processing as we cannot rule out the possibility that they might have been used in other crimes in the area,” said Sergeant Lefakane.
Meanwhile, the suspects are yet to make their first court appearance in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court.
Bekkersdal Police station commander Colonel Phumelele Matamela commended the members for their swift reaction which led to the removal of two more firearms from the wrong hands.
“We will continue to squeeze space for criminals until there is none left,” said Matamela.
