It is all boots on the ground in Gauteng as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) continue to recover unlicensed firearms and ammunition in circulation in the province.

In partnership with other law enforcement agencies and relevant partners, Gauteng police have arrested over 120 suspects and recovered over 280 firearms and nearly 8000 rounds of ammunition over the past two weeks (01 to 15 November 2022) across the province. This is the result of multi-disciplinary Operation “O Kae Molao”, routine crime prevention patrols, stop-and-searches and community tip-offs.

Members of SAPS Johannesburg Central arrested a 45-year-old suspect in the early hours of this morning for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The members were reportedly out on a routine crime prevention patrol when they detected three suspicious-looking individuals walking in town around 00:30 in the morning. A stop-and-search was conducted which led to the recovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition found in possession of one of the men.

In another incident, members of SAPS Ivory Park arrested a 36-year-old suspect on Tuesday, 15 November 2022 and recovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition following a community tip-off. A preliminary report suggests that the members operationalised information they obtained from community patrollers. A search led to the swift recovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition found in possession of the suspect.

Also, SAPS Magaliesburg members arrested two suspects, aged 36 and 37, on Friday, 11 November 2022 for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The members reportedly responded to a complaint by a community member regarding a suspicious-looking vehicle with two occupants is roaming in her street. Upon their arrival the members interviewed the two males and conducted a search which led to the recovery of the unlicensed firearm and ammunition found in their possession.

All the recovered firearms will be subjected to a ballistic test to establish whether it may be linked to other serious crime committed.

Community members are reminded to report crime to their nearest police station, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.

Source: South African Police Service