Police recover 15 unlicenced firearms, 350 arrested
A woman was among the suspects after she was found with a revolver, a magazine with live ammunition, a police gun safe, and a uniform.
The police together with various law enforcement agencies embarked on several multi-disciplinary operations that resulted in the arrest of more than 350 suspects in and around Tshwane.
These operations included roadblocks, stop-and-searches, foot patrols, tracing of wanted suspects, an inspection of secondhand goods, raiding of illegal liquor outlets, and enforcement of the disaster management act.
Police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe said high police visibility was maintained where police patrolled business premises, taxi ranks, shopping complexes, national key points, schools, and ATMs.
On Thursday, the crime intelligence unit with the assistance of Rietgat crime prevention arrested a 27-year-old man in Ga-Rankuwa for the unlawful possession of a firearm, cassette (magazine), and for carrying live ammunition, Selepe said.
“In an unrelated operation on the same day, the team visited another address in Mabopane. Upon seeing the police, the suspect fled and dropped a firearm. The police seized the firearm for further investigation.”
The Tshwane North crime intelligence unit continued with executing its mandate on the next day (Friday) in conjunction with the SAPS high patrol unit.
“An intelligence-driven operation led to a suspect in possession of illegal firearms at his premises. Upon arrival, the police searched the house and recovered an unlicenced revolver, a magazine with live ammunition, a police gun safe and a uniform,” Selepe said.
The 26-year-old woman was detained for further investigation.
In Winterveld, the team seized a pellet gun for further investigation.
Later that Friday, Selepe said the crime intelligence unit with the assistance of Brits rural safety unit followed information about a house that manufacturers fraudulent ID documents and passports.
“On arrival, two suspects were arrested and the police recovered fraudulent IDs, asylum papers, and electronic equipment,” she said.
“A further investigation was held, whereby police proceeded to a second house owned by the suspect (accomplice) who is alleged to be operating with the arrested suspects. On arrival, additional fraudulent IDs and passports were seized.”
All three suspects were arrested and charged with fraud, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, as well as fraudulent documents, and trying to bribe police, Selepe added.
She said 15 firearms, magazines, and live ammunition were recovered over the past week in Tshwane.
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The Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Abbey Mbangwa Nkhwashu, commended the Tshwane North crime intelligence unit for their hard work.
He said the firearms that have been recovered were believed to have been stolen during hijackings, business and house robberies.
He stated that the seized firearms will be taken for ballistic assessment to establish whether it was used in serious crimes.
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