GQEBERHA – The remarkable and impressive recovery of illegal firearms continue to demonstrate the zest and determination of the police as they clean up the streets to rid communities of illegal firearms.
This weekend, police confiscated a total of 7 illegal firearms, various firearm parts and a quantity of ammunition and drugs. In total, 41 firearms have been confiscated since 01 August 2022 to date.
On Sunday, 21 August 2022 at about 12:15, while Anti-Gang Unit members were on-route to a shooting incident in Bethelsdorp and as they approached Cleary Park, they noticed three males running across the road. When the males spotted the police vehicle, they changed direction and ran through the soccer field. When entering Harrington Street the members spotted one of the males. As the members stopped the male, he threw a firearm in the backyard of a house in Barend Sreet in Salt Lake and continued running. The suspect jumped through the window of a house and got into bed, pretending to be asleep. The 27-year-old was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm
Also on the same day, at about 18:50, SAPS Bethelsdorp Crime Prevention members received and acted on information about illegal firearms at a house in Denson Street in Bloemendal. A bag with a 9mm pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition was found in a headboard. A 41-year-old suspect was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
During the early hours of this morning, 22 August 2022 at about 01:00, SAPS Bethelsdorp Crime Prevention members once again followed up on information and searched a house in Khauleza Street in Timothy Valley. A .22 revolver and 8 rounds of ammunition was found in the ceiling of the house. No arrest was made and an enquiry docket was opened for investigation. Ownership of the firearm is yet to be determined.
The members adrenalin kept its momentum when yet another firearm was recovered and suspect arrested by AGU members early this morning, 22 August 2022. It is alleged that at about 01:20 a house in 3rd Avenue in Hillside was searched. A 9mm pistol and 3 rounds of ammunition were found under a mattress. Police also confiscated 5 gas guns and various loose firearm parts. Two men, aged 40 years old were arrested. One male was detained on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition while the other was detained on a charge of illegal possession of ammunition as well as manufacturing and modifying homemade firearms (Firearms Control Act).
All the confiscated firearms will be sent to ballistics for testing.
The arrested suspects will appear in their respective courts soon.
Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata has once again applauded the good work of the members. ‘Recovered illegal firearms may be considered a success however it is still a serious concern that so many illegal firearms are still in the hands of criminals. The recovery of one illegal firearm could spare the life of one person. The confiscation of these firearms is a direct result of intensified police visibility, the following up on information and the efforts of our men and women in blue who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our citizens,’ added Maj Gen Ncata.
Source: South African Police Service