Limpopo Highway Patrol team bust men with small cache of weapons
The police arrested the men after a high speed car chase along the R37 main road in the Mecklenburg policing area.
LIMPOPO – The police assisted by members of the Saps Limpopo Highway Patrol (LHP) seized a small cache of firearms and ammunition during a recent clean-up operation conducted in the Mecklenburg policing area.
Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe said the members were conducting routine operation along the R37 road when they spotted a black bakkie travelling at a very high speed. “Attempts to stop the vehicle were unsuccessful, a vehicle chase ensued and the vehicle was forced off the road in Tjibeng village.
“The police searched the vehicle and found two shot guns, a bag containing five pistols, two boxes full of 9mm ammunition in each, two boxes full of different assortment of ammunition and ten firearms licences. “
Ngoepe added that the two occupants in the vehicle could not provide legal documentation for the firearms and ammunition and they were arrested. “the vehicle was also seized.”
The duo were charged with possession of firearms and ammunition without license, permit or authorisation.
Meanwhile a brother and sister from Mankweng also face charges related to possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The police arrested the duo during clean-up police operations conducted by LHP from yesterday until this morning, Wednesday 14 April. The operation was focused on eradicating the mushrooming of illegal firearms in the province.
Ngoepe said the members received a tip-off a man transporting firearms in the vicinity of Mankweng Zone 1 shopping complex. “The members reacted and a vehicle matching the description given was stopped and searched.”
He added that no firearms were found in the man’s vehicle but further investigations led to the police to a premises in Ga-Mothiba where the police seized a firearm, 15 sachets of dagga and three dangerous weapons.
“On the scene the man told the police that the seized firearm belonged to his sister and that she lends it to him at a fee starting from R500, depending on the crime to be committed. His sister was traced and after she confirmed the allegation, both were arrested and charges with possession of dagga, possession of dangerous weapons, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The suspects will soon appear in the Mecklenburg and Mankweng magistrate’s courts, respectively.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba complimented the members for their hard work.
