OR Tambo: As the festive season approaches, police in the OR Tambo District have intensified their efforts to ensure community safety, focusing on increased visibility and proactive operations. These operations have led to the recovery of unlicensed firearms and stolen livestock in the district.

According to South African Police Service, on Friday, 15 November 2024, the Joe Gqabi Tactical Response Team acted on intelligence regarding a 39-year-old suspect in Phumla-Mqeshi locality, Tsolo. The suspect, driving a Ford Ranger bakkie, was stopped and searched, leading to the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition under the driver’s seat. The firearm was reported stolen in 1999 in Cape Town. The suspect was arrested and detained at Tsolo police station and is scheduled to appear in Tsolo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 November 2024, on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine any connection to other crimes, while the suspec
t will also face charges related to the 1999 Cape Town case.

In another incident in Port St Johns, Tactical Response Team members and the Port St Johns Crime Prevention Unit responded to information about a 34-year-old male possessing a prohibited homemade shotgun. The firearm was recovered from the suspect’s homestead in Masameni locality, hidden under a mattress. The suspect was arrested and will appear in Port St Johns Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 November 2024, on charges of unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm.

Additionally, Tsolo police, supported by Qumbu police, recovered 32 stolen sheep, valued at approximately R50,000, early on Friday, 15 November 2024. The sheep were found near Tsitsa river forest after being stolen from a kraal in Qebeyi locality. The suspects evaded arrest upon the arrival of the police, but the recovered sheep were returned to their rightful owner.

Major General Norman Modishana, the OR Tambo District Commissioner, commended the police for their effective crime-fig
hting efforts. He emphasized the importance of recovering illegal firearms and bringing criminals to justice to ensure peaceful communities.