Police arrest man (35) with unlicensed firearm in Mooiplaas informal settlement
Upon searching his premises, a loaded firearm was found in the house and the suspect was immediately arrested and detained for further police investigation.
A 35-year-old man was arrested after he was found with an unlicensed firearm at the Mooiplaas informal settlement in Centurion.
The arrest came after police were tipped off by residents during a patrol operation in the squatter camp.
Erasmia police spokesperson Sergeant Tumisang Moloto said the officers began to search for the suspect and found him, with the assistance of the community, at his house.
“Upon searching his premises, a loaded firearm was found in the house and the suspect was immediately arrested and detained for further police investigation,” said Moloto.
Erasmia SAPS station commander Phindile Madonsela has applauded the residents who have reported the matter to the police and has encouraged her members to continue to curb criminal activities in the area.
Police and other law enforcement agencies in Tshwane have shown great devotion to ending the issue of illegal firearms in the city.
In February this year, Tshwane police announced that they have seized over 70 unlicensed firearms since the beginning of 2022.
Police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe said it is evident that the availability of illegally circulating firearms in the metro is directly linked to a series of violent crimes that include murder, armed robberies, hijackings, attempted murders and violent street crimes.
“During police preliminary investigations, it was found that a vast majority of illegal firearms in circulation were originally licensed to civilians and private security companies,” Selepe said.
Seized firearms are sent for ballistic tests to find out if they were used in other crimes crime.
Community members are encouraged to anonymously report illegal firearms by calling the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
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