NELSPRUIT – Intelligence Driven Operations that were conducted by members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) as well as the National Intervention Unit, led to the recovery of deadly weapons in separate incidents. Four suspects were arrested during the operation in Barberton on 22 October 2022, and the other at Masoyi on 23 October 2022 respectively.

Police received information about a man who was driving a white Corsa bakkie in possession of explosives in Masoyi. They spotted the vehicle, stopped and searched it then reportedly found an R1 assault rifle with a number of live ammunition, a 3.8 handgun also with live ammunition, an R5 assault rifle with live rounds as well. Police also found a .22 rifle with live ammunitions, as well as a detonator and one explosive gel inside the said car. Sabelo Peter Mdluli aged 44 was then arrested and charged for possession of unlicensed firearms and for possession of unlicensed ammunition as well as for possession of explosives.

Mdluli appeared at the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 24 October 2022, facing the said charges and the case was postponed to 01 November 2022 for a formal bail application meanwhile he remained in custody.

In a seperate incident, members of the police spotted a blue VW Polo Classic that looked suspicious. After stopping it, a search was conducted. They then found a firearm with live rounds of ammunition. They (suspects) reportedly failed to give an account to the said items and the three, Dinani Convinient Zulu (29), Bongani Nkosinathi Mlambo (33) and Mthokozisi Magwaza (34) were immediately arrested for allegedly being in possession of prohibited firearm and ammunition. The vehicle was also confiscated for further investigation.

The suspects already appeared at Barberton Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 24 October 2022 facing the said charges. Two suspects, Zulu and Mlambo were granted bail meanwhile Magwaza was denied bail and it was indicated during the court appearance that he has an outstanding case of possession of unlicensed firearm at Elukwatini of which he is expected to attend court on 15 November 2022 at the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court. The case against the three suspects was postponed to 02 November 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended members for the sterling work which produced desired outcome. The General further warned that such operations should be anticipated as the festive season approaches.

Source: South African Police Service