GQEBERHA - Festive Season operations are in full swing in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro with police and law enforcement agencies clamping down on law breakers as well as enhancing this year’s theme of ‘more boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility.’

During the long weekend from 16 December 2022 to 19 December 2022, a total of 86 suspects were arrested for offences which included attempted murder, drunken driving, possession of drugs, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, murder, possession of suspected stolen property among other offences.

On Saturday, 17 December 2022 at about 22:00, SAPS Gelvandale executed a search warrant at a house in Durban Road and arrested a 35-year-old male in possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

Also, on the same evening, at about 19:30, SAPS Walmer members were patrolling in Babatane Street in Walmer location when they noticed two males arguing and one was pointing a firearm at the other. When he noticed the police, he hid the firearm and on searching him, a firearm (serial number filed off) was recovered. He was detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

On Sunday, 18 December 2022 at about 22:00, Anti-Gang Unit members acted on information received about a firearm at a shop in Kabah in Kamesh. The shop was searched and a 9mm pistol was found hidden behind shelves in a bedroom. A 34-year-old male was arrested and detained for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

All the arrested suspects will appear in the respective courts today, 19 December 2022 on their charges. The firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis.

Police are alerting communities that festive season operations will continue with road blocks; frequent visits to taverns, drug dens, liquor outlets, beaches, picnic spots and shopping malls to ensure a safe and secure festive season for all residents in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro.

Source: South African Police Service