BOIPATONG – The South African Police Service (SAPS) destroyed over 18,000 firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition in Boipatong, Vanderbijlpark.
These firearms have been forfeited to the State or voluntarily handed in by owners across the province.
The District Commissioner of Sedibeng, Major General Nkhensani Lemba officiated the official firearm destruction process on Thursday, 22 February.
General Lemba was joined by various senior SAPS management.
According to the general, some of these firearms have been used during the commission of a crime such as GBVF and cash-in-transit armed robberies.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster General Lemba said they coming for those with illegal guns.
“We are excited that today we are ending the circulation of these firearms because there won’t be a chance that they will be missing or get back into our communities. This is a big success, and we call on our people that if they have firearms and don’t use them, we encourage that they surrender them so we can destroy them,” she said.
“Those who have illegal firearms the clock is ticking; we are coming for you. We are conducting Operation Shanela, which is also focused on putting firearms off the streets. Wherever you are, we are watching you and we are coming for you,” she added.
In a new twist, several law enforcement stakeholders held an installment of Operation Shanela in Boipatong and Vereeniging.
Following the operation, police management conducted a public meeting at Vereeniging taxi rank where they engaged the community, taxi industry, and commuters on the importance of working together.
