Multiple firearms recovered in police operations
“The volumes of illegal firearms recovered by our members is a clear indication that there are still many firearms in the wrong hands."
At least 40 firearms and more than 480 rounds of ammunition were recovered by police as part of their plan to decrease the number of aggravated crimes over the past seven days.
Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said an AK-47 rifle was among the firearms recovered when they arrested two suspects, aged between 24 and 36, at a hideout in Silverton after the Tracing Task Team and Crime Prevention followed up on information.
Three other suspects were said to have escaped while two vehicles that were suspected to have been stolen and used during a business robbery at a SPAR along Tsamaya Road in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, were recovered.
“Still in the Tshwane district, police arrested four suspects in Olievenhoutbosch after they were found in possession of two unlicenced firearms,” Masondo said, adding that the information which led to the arrests was received on Friday afternoon.
“The SAPS and Tshwane metro police department followed up on the information from Olievenhoutbosch until Atteridgeville where the first suspect was arrested after he was found with an unlicenced firearm that was reported stolen in Erasmia in October 2018. The team found three more suspects inside a Toyota Avanza where an unlicenced firearm loaded with ammunition was also recovered.”
In another incident, three security guards were arrested after they were allegedly found in possession of six guns in Heriotdale in Germiston.
“Members of the Germiston police were patrolling on Friday when they spotted a Toyota Quantum full of security guards. They stopped the vehicle. Suddenly the security guards jumped out and fled on foot,” he said.
After three of the guards were arrested, six unlicenced firearms and ammunition were recovered.
In the West Rand, in Bekkersdal, two suspects were arrested after they were found with three unlicenced firearms and ammunition during a high-density operation which was also conducted on Friday.
“Five suspects were also arrested in Turfontein, in Johannesburg, in the early hours of Saturday, 8 May 2021, for possession of unlicenced firearm and having a dangerous weapon,” Masondo said.
He explained these suspects were arrested after police noticed the BMW, they travelling in, driving slowly.
“The officers pulled the vehicle over and as they searched the occupants of the vehicle, two unlicenced firearms were found,” Masondo said.
Multiple other firearms were said to have been recovered during intelligence driven operations across the province.
Meanwhile, Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela commended the officers for their efforts to bring down the number of serious and violent crimes committed at gunpoint.
“The volume of illegal firearms recovered by is a clear indication that many firearms are still in the wrong hands. This is a key measure which can assist us in dealing decisively with aggravated crimes in Gauteng,” he said.
He further urged police officers to sustain the momentum.
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