Police on Tuesday said two people suspected of unlawfully selling guns and bullets to criminals have been arrested,
The suspects aged 44 and 33 years allegedly sold firearms and ammunition to criminals in Alexandra and Cosmo City, Johannesburg.
Acting on a tip-off members of the SA Police Service – including the Honeydew Tracing Team – swooped on the suspects.
“The suspects were found in possession of more than 20 rounds of ammunition and four unlicensed firearms,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo.
The first search was conducted in a house in Cosmo City, where the police found a firearm with serial numbers filed off, and a magazine.
One suspect was arrested.
The information led the police to the second house in Alexandra, where six people were shot dead last week in a callous robbery spree.
On Thursday 32-two-year-old Josh Mbatha better known as “DJ Jorontinah”, the Music Manager at Alex FM, was fatally shot by armed robbers who made off with his shoes and cellphone. Other victims survived the attacks with gunshot wounds.
As many as 12 suspects have since been arrested and brought before court.
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Police efforts to root out illegal guns led to Tuesday’s swoop.
“Upon searching the house and the suspect, police recovered unlicensed firearms and ammunition that includes a 9mm pistol, a 9mm Uzzi, 38 special, and more than 20 rounds of ammunition,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
The arrested suspects face charges of dealing and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
In Rietgat, Tshwane, the police arrested a 33-year-old man found with an unlicensed firearm.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela said: “The improved working relationship with our communities and sharing of information is beginning to give us the desired outcome of addressing the proliferation of firearms and violent crimes”.
RECOVERED: Deadly weapons found by the SA Police Service
