According to Police Spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters this comes as a result of a multi-disciplinary takedown operation in response to a hijacking and kidnapping that happened on Monday, 11 January 2021 where a driver was allegedly kept hostage and released a few hours later by the suspects.

Peters said the intelligence-driven operation on Thursday, 14 January 2021 led the team to a house in Sharpeville where police found the sought Mercedes Benz GLC SUV plus a Mercedes Benz sedan that has since been confirmed as sought by police in a case reported at Dawn Park SAPS in December 2020.

“A search of the vehicles and the premises led to the discovery of a total of 10 firearms, plus seven magazines, over 180 ammunition of different firearms, explosives, signal jammer, and housebreaking implements.”

Police subsequently arrested the two suspects found on the crime scene.

Further investigations are underway to determine possible linkage of the suspects and the firearms to other violent crimes in the Province. Therefore the possibility of more charges emerging during the investigation cannot be ruled out.

Commending the team comprising of members from Gauteng Specific Crimes Unit, Johannesburg District Crime Intelligence, Johannesburg K9, Community Active Police and Fidelity Specialised Services, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni welcomed this success that affirms the continued collaborative approach by Gauteng law enforcement agencies partnering with private security and community structures towards bringing down the volumes of serious and violent crime such as hijackings, house and business robberies.

“Those investigating this and all related cases must work hard to build a watertight case that will ensure a successful prosecution and conviction in court. What the team seized during this operation is indicative of the extremity of the violence these suspects may be involved in, terrorising our communities,” cites Major General Mthombeni.