Local ‘robbery gang’ nabbed with illegal firearms, ammo

Three men believed to be behind a spate of business and house robberies in the Empangeni area were nabbed by police this week.

The suspects, aged between 30 and 39 years, were arrested during a police operation following a robbery in Mazimazana area on Saturday.

It was reported that they forcefully entered a home and forced one victim at gunpoint to transfer an undisclosed amount of money from her business account to theirs.

They also robbed other people of their belongings.

It is said the trio is a known gang that has been operating in KwaMsane, Hlabisa, Mtubatuba, Empangeni, Richards Bay and eSikhaleni.

During the arrest, police found the men in possession of three firearms and ammunition.

They were charged with house robbery and being in possession of unlicensed firearms.

With the firearms to be taken for ballistic testing at the forensic laboratory, police expect more charges could be added as investigations unfold.

Guns cannot be inherited from family members

With gun violence on the increase across the region, police are on a mission to rid the district of illegal firearms through clamp-down operations.

Apart from their regular targeting of hotspot areas, police urge residents to report those known to have illegal firearms in their communities.

“Residents are always the first to know who has a gun in the area. They also know people who are using those guns for criminal activities. We must work together in getting rid of guns,” said King Cetshwayo Cluster police spokesperson Captain Siyanda Shangase.

He said those with guns belonging to their deceased family members must surrender those guns to the police.

“A gun can’t be inherited, and if your loved one left it behind it is your duty to submit it or keep it in an authorised place while applying for a firearm licence.

“We won’t negotiate, we will arrest you if you’re found with an unregistered gun,” he said.

Shangase also said it is unsafe for residents to keep such guns normally called ‘izinduku sokuvikela ikhaya’, as they become the target of criminals.

“Their motivation is always that they use these guns to protect the family but it’s dangerous because you become a potential victim when criminals come to demand it from you,” he said.

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