EASTERN CAPE – The Hawks’ Crimes Against The State team (CATS) of East London, in a joint operation with East London Public Order Policing (POP), Mdantsane Firearms Liquor and Second Hand goods team (FLASH) and members from East London Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) arrested a 58-year-old ex-soldier on 25 June 2021 on allegations of possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
It is alleged that the CATS team of the Hawks, having investigated the matter after receiving information through intelligence, initiated the operation which resulted in the search and seizure and arrest of the suspect.
The suspect, a former employee of the South African Defence Force (SADF), is said to presently be the owner of a private school in Berlin.
On searching the premises, the team is said to have come to a shocking discovery of 2 x 303 rifles with 202 rounds; 2 x 2.2 rifles with 151 rounds; 3 rounds for a R4 rifle; 2 x revolvers and 3 x rounds for 9mm.
It is reported that the suspect claimed that the firearms belonged to his father but could not produce any documentation to that effect.
The suspect was immediately arrested on 25 June 2021. He is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday, 28 June 2021 in the East London Magistrates’ Court.
The Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya lauded the team on the recovery of the firearms and ammunition.
Source: South African Police Service