Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng on Tuesday announced that it has recovered more than 230 illegal guns and more than 4 590 bullets in the last two weeks.
Gauteng SAPS Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the unlicensed firearms and live rounds of ammunition were recovered between 1 and 14 November 2023.
“These firearms were recovered across the province during integrated crime combatting operations that include Operation Shanela and stop-and-searches, while others were recovered through the tip-offs from members of the community,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“In some of the incidents, police from the Anti-Gang Unit received information that two suspects were involved in a shooting incident in Westbury.
“The suspects were identified, and their whereabouts were confirmed.”
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said On 11 November 2023, police pounced on the premises, where the suspects were hiding.
“Upon searching the premises, police found two unlicensed firearms and arrested both suspects,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
In Rabieridge, Ekurhuleni District, on 7 November 2023, police recovered three unlicensed and more than 90 live rounds of ammunition after a shootout with the suspects.
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said the police received information about the whereabouts of suspects, who were wanted for cases of armed robberies in Ekurhuleni.
“Information was operationalised, and police proceeded to a house in Phomolong, Rabieridge, where suspects were hiding,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“As police were entering the house, suspects started to shoot at them, and a shootout ensued.
“As a result, one suspect was fatally wounded while the others fled. Police recovered three unlicensed firearms, seven magazines, and more than ninety rounds of ammunition inside the house.”
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said four suspects were arrested in Jeppe, Johannesburg District, on 8 November 2023, after they were found with unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“Police were conducting patrols when they spotted a suspicious vehicle with four occupants in Jeppe,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“Police immediately stopped the vehicle.
“Upon searching the suspects, police found unlicensed firearms and ammunition in their possession.”
On Thursday, (2 November 2023), police were conducting a stop-and-search in Westbury, Johannesburg, when they heard gunshots.
They searched a male who was coming from the area where shots were heard.
“In his possession, an unlicensed firearm loaded with ammunition was found, and the suspect was arrested,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“Several other firearms and ammunition were recovered in all the districts across the province.
“All the recovered firearms were sent for ballistic analysis to determine whether they are linked to other crimes.”
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, commended the police, private security companies, and the community of Gauteng for pulling together to remove the firearms that were in the wrong hands.
“The recovery of these weapons will contribute to the reduction of crime, especially this festive season, as most of the violent crimes like business robberies and cash-in-transit heists are committed by gangs who are armed with unlicensed firearms,” said Lieutenant General Mawela.
The community is urged to continue to report criminal activities by calling the nearest police station or crime stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App, that can be downloaded from any smartphone.
