Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng has recovered more than 50 unlicensed firearms and more than 180 live rounds of ammunition at the weekend, (8 -10 March 2024).
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo on Sunday said: “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”.
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said on Friday, (8 March 2024), police from the Crime Intelligence Unit received information about gangster members who were about to be involved in a shooting around Eldorado Park, Johannesburg District.
“The suspects’ vehicle was spotted and stopped in Eldorado Park. Upon searching the vehicle and the suspects, police found two pistols, magazines, and more than forty-five live rounds of ammunition,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“The vehicle driven by the suspects was reported to be stolen in Kagiso.”
On Sunday, (10 March 2024), three suspects were arrested in Orange Farms, Sedibeng District, after they were found with two unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said the police were conducting routine patrols in Orange Farms when they received information about suspects who were driving a Toyota Corolla and having firearms.
The car was spotted and intercepted in the area.
Inside the car police found three suspects in possession of two unlicensed firearms and magazines loaded with ammunition.
All three suspects were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
“Three undocumented foreign nationals, who own a tuckshop, were arrested in Atteridgeville, Tshwane District, after they were found with an unlicensed firearm and eleven rounds of ammunition on Saturday, (9 March 2024),” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“Police received information about a tuckshop owner who was in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Atteridgeville. On Saturday, police proceeded to the suspect’s tuckshop.
“Upon searching the premises, police found an unlicensed firearm and more than 10 rounds of live ammunition.”
Three suspects were arrested.
In Soshanguve, Tshwane District, police recovered two unlicensed firearms from the house of the suspect who is involved in the registration of stolen and hijacked vehicles.
Police received a tip-off about a man who had unlicensed firearms and was involved in the illegal registration of vehicles.
“Police pounced on the house and found two unlicensed firearms, magazines, a large number of illegal vehicle registration documents, and fraudulent matric certificates,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“The search for the suspect is underway.
“Several other firearms and ammunition were recovered in all the districts across the province.
“All the recovered firearms will be sent for ballistic analysis to determine whether they are linked to other crimes.”
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, commended the police, other law enforcement agencies, 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 in the province, as most of the violent crimes like business robberies and car hijackings are committed by suspects who are armed with unlicensed firearms,” said Lieutenant General Mthombeni.
Police urged Gauteng residents 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, which can be downloaded from any smartphone.
