NELSPRUIT - Just after midnight, intelligence was operationalized resulting in the arrest of a 24-year-old suspect on Tuesday morning, 21 February 2023.

Information was received about a suspect in possession of unlicensed firearm. The team comprised of Police's Crime Intelligence Unit, Provincial Task Team, Tactical Response Team, and Secunda Public Order Policing Police was assembled. The members proceeded to the address in Summerset area in Culcutta outside Bushbuckridge to execute the operation.

On the members' arrival, the suspect was found in his room. A search was then conducted whereby a handgun with one magazine and five live rounds of ammunition were found under the pillow. The suspect failed to produce a valid firearm licence when requested to, hence he was arrested and charged for possession of firearm without licence and he is expected to make his first court appearance at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate's Court tomorrow, Wednesday 22 February 2023.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela applauded the team for the arrest and removal of unlicensed firearm which could have put many lives in danger.

Source: South African Police Service