PARKTOWN – Police in Gauteng remain resolute to recover unlicensed firearms and ammunition in circulation in a concerted effort to address serious and violent crime in the province. The past two weeks police in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders have recovered over 400 unlicensed firearms and nearly 3000 rounds of ammunition during operations, routine crime prevention patrols, stop-and-searches as well as through community tip-offs.
On Saturday, 06 August 2022 members of the Johannesburg K9 Unit arrested two suspects in Jeppe following a business robbery that took place earlier that same day in Bloemfontein. The members reportedly followed up on information they obtained that the suspects were making their way to Gauteng in a stolen white vehicle. The suspects’ vehicle collided with another vehicle following a car chase and shootout with the police. The duo was subsequently arrested and two unlicensed firearms and ammunition were recovered; another suspect evaded his arrest.
Community tip-offs also resulted in the recovery of two unlicensed firearms and ammunition this past weekend. Members of SAPS Rabie Ridge reportedly arrested three suspects and recovered two unlicensed firearms and ammunition in two separate incidents in Mayibuye and Phomolong respectively, after community patrollers alerted the police.
In another incident on the same day, police arrested a 35-year-old man in Evaton during Operation O Kae Molao for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The suspect’s vehicle was searched during a multi-disciplinary roadblock which led the police to recover the firearm and ammunition.
All recovered firearms are subjected to ballistic tests to establish whether it can be linked to other serious crimes committed.
Community members are urged to report crime to their nearest police station, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave an anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.
Source: South African Police Service