Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Police in Mpumalanga have arrested several people and recovered an assortment of illegal guns from the suspects in their ongoing Operation Shanela.
In Morgenzon, a 23-year-old woman was one of the three people arrested for the possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
They were arrested at their homes in Morgenzon, outside Ermelo, in Mpumalanga on Friday.
A 42-year-old local tavern owner and a 39-year-old Mozambican national were the other two people arrested after they were found with illegal firearms and ammunition.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said: “The astute members strategically pounced on several houses where a massive search was conducted”.
Brigadier Mohlala added: “During the search, several firearms were found. They included one shotgun, a 9mm pistol which is suspected to have been stolen from a police station.
“Another pistol, a magazine for an R5 rifle as well an ammunition for an R5 rifle were also found.”
On Saturday, police arrested a 30-year-old man found in possession of an unlawful firearm in the Middleburg Central Business District.
“The men and women in blue were busy with an operation. They stopped a man and searched him,” said Brigadier Mohlala.
“They found a 9mm pistol as well as a magazine with seven live ammunition in his possession.
“The man couldn’t produce a licence hence he was apprehended and charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.”
Brigadier Mohlala said the 9mm pistol they recovered from the suspect would be sent for ballistic testing to determine if it could be linked to other crimes.
“At this stage, police cannot rule out the possibilities of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues,” he said.
The arrested suspects will soon appear in court.
