SAPS nab cop for unlicensed firearm in Delmas

A police sergeant attached to the Ogies Police Station found himself on the wrong side of the law when he was arrested in Botleng, Delmas, for the possession of an unlicensed firearm on November 9 at about 00:30.

The on-duty members were performing Operation Shanela. They spotted three vehicles, a BMW and two Toyota Fortuners, parked at the Botleng entrance on the R42.

As the police stopped to investigate, the vehicles sped off in different directions.

The police zoomed in on one Fortuner, which turned into Botleng, with a high-speed chase ensuing. The SAPS members pulled it over on Tau Street.

Searching the vehicle, they found a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off. According to the police, the loaded gun had six bullets.
Officers also found another eight rounds in a blue case inside the Fortuner.

Officers arrested the 39-year-old sergeant and his 35-year-old passenger for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and seized the vehicle and firearm for further investigation.

The acting provincial commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Major General (Doctor) Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended members for their efforts to fight crime.

“The SAPS will thoroughly investigate the firearm’s origin. There will not be special treatment because we cannot afford to have members in the service working against the police,” said Mkhwanazi.

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