GAUTENG -The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended law enforcement officers and crime-fighting partners for the recent operational successes achieved across the province.

This follows the recovery of over 400 unlicensed firearms and nearly 27 000 rounds of ammunition over a period of four weeks (01 – 27 March 2023) by the police working together with law enforcement agencies, Eyes and Ears (E2) Initiative partners, Community Policing Forums (CPF’s) and community patrollers.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo says, “Over 200 suspects were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. These operational successes are the result of SAPS Gauteng’s continuous crime-fighting efforts such as the renowned multi-disciplinary ‘Operation O Kae Molao, routine crime prevention patrols, random stop-and-searches as well as community tip-offs.”

Masondo states that all the recovered firearms will be subjected to a ballistic test to determine whether they can be linked to other serious crimes committed.

Mawela says, “I would like to commend our SAPS members and crime-fighting partners for their concerted efforts to remove unlicensed firearms and ammunition still in circulation.”

Community members are urged to report the crime to their nearest police station, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.