Tip-offs lead to gun recovery in CBD

Pretoria Central police recently arrested a 26-year-old man in the CBD after community members alerted patrol officers to the illegal gun carrier’s activity.

The arrest came at about 11:00 on October 22 on the corner of Sisulu Street and Read Ave, when officers of the crime prevention team were conducting their normal patrol.

Police spokesperson Constable Thabang Nkhumise said that the SAPS members immediately went to the corner of Sisulu Street and Read Avenue.

When they got there, the saw a man who matched the description they had been given, approached him and asked for permission to search.

During the search, they found that he was concealing a 9mm pistol loaded with 12 live rounds.

He was interviewed, but did not have a firearm license, or other valid documentation. He was then arrested by Constables Ronald Musetsho and Johanna Phahlamohlaka, and taken to the closest police station, where he was charged and detained.

Station commander, Brigadier Hlengani Gibin Mashaba, urged the community to adhere to the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

“That licensing process requires applicants to be fit, of a stable mental condition, and not dependent on substances to possess a firearm,” Mashaba said.

He also called on all of the community to continue reporting any wrongdoing anonymously, and to do so on the various crime stop platforms, such as the Crime Stop line 08600 10111, dial 112 on any network platforms, and follow the prompts, or use the MySAPS app.

The firearm will be sent for ballistic analysis for further investigation, and the suspect is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court in due course.

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