70 unlicenced firearms recovered last month
The confiscated firearms were sent for ballistic tests to ascertain if they were used in the commission of any crime.
Since the beginning of January 2022, Tshwane police and other law enforcement agencies recovered a total of 70 unlicenced firearms.
Over 150 live rounds of ammunition were also found which also led to a total of 89 suspects arrested, said Pretoria Central police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe.
She said the majority of these firearms were confiscated during intelligence-driven operations, stop-and-searches, tracing of wanted suspects, planned crime combat operations, and pursuing the information obtained from the community.
CATCH UP: Three arrested over unlicensed firearms, ammunition in west
Atteridgeville man arrested for drugs and possession of unlicenced firearm
“It is evident that the availability of illegally circulating firearms in Tshwane and the country is directly connected to a series of violent crimes that include murder, armed robberies, hijackings, attempted murders, and street violent crimes,” she said.
During police preliminary investigations, it was found that the vast majority of illegal firearms in circulation were originally licenced to civilians and private security companies, Selepe added.
“These ended up in the hands of the criminals through theft, housebreaking, and loss.”
Over the weekend, police recovered five firearms and ammunition during an intelligence-driven operations in Laudium.
Three men, allegedly demanded payment from various small business owners, were arrested during the operations and their weapons were seized, Selepe said.
Brigadier Kushie Pietersen applauded the police and law enforcement agencies for stepping up enforcement efforts in removing illegal firearms from criminals.
“The reduction in the number of illegal firearms in our communities will have a positive impact on the number of serious and violent crimes that are reported,” she said.
She further applauded the ordinary community that has contributed to the successes over the past month, by informing police of people who are in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The confiscated firearms were sent for ballistic tests to ascertain if they were used in the commission of any crime.
Community members are encouraged to anonymously report illegal firearms calling the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
