NELSPRUIT – Two suspects aged 31 and 41 were arrested on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm. The two were arrested through a joint collaboration between the Mpumalanga Provincial Task Team and members from Mhala Detective Services in the afternoon of today, Thursday 16 February 2023 around 14h00 at Hluvukani near Thulamahashe in Bushbuckridge.

According to the report, the team received some information regarding suspects who were having a firearm without a license. The details were then followed by the members which led them to the two male suspects who were found in possession of a pistol. The two were then arrested and charged accordingly. The firearm was seized and it will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was not used in the commission of crime elsewhere. The police at this stage cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the two suspects as the investigation continues.

The pair is expected to appear in the Mhala Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Friday 17 February 2023 facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest and recovery of the firearm as most of the violent crimes are committed by suspects in possession of such weapons.

Source: South African Police Service