GQEBERHA - The resilient stance adopted by police in the Nelson Mandela Bay district in eradicating illegal firearms is proving to be successful as these weapons are confiscated on a daily basis.
This weekend three firearms and four replica firearms were confiscated within the metro. On Friday evening, 20 January 2023 at about 21:00, SAPS Mount Road members were patrolling in 2nd Avenue in Newton Park and as they neared Burt Drive, they noticed two males running. The members chased after them and noticed that as one of the males was running, he threw an object into the bushes. The males managed to escape through the dense bushes however, the members retrieved a firearm from the bush. Ownership of the firearm is yet to be established. An enquiry docket was opened for further investigation.
Many serious crimes are carried out with replica firearms. On Saturday, 21 January 2023 at about 16:05, Anti-Gang Unit members acted on information received of a bag of firearms lying under a tree in Mission Road. On searching a plastic bag, four (4) replica firearms were found wrapped in newspapers.
Also, on Saturday, 21 January 2023 at about 18:00, whilst SAPS Bethelsdorp crime prevention members were conducting observation duties outside at a local store, they noticed a Toyota Tazz with 3 males behaving suspiciously in the vehicle. The vehicle was followed and stopped in Standford Road. The occupants and vehicle were searched. Two firearms and 29 rounds of ammunition were recovered. The three males were detained on charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a prohibited firearm. The vehicle was also confiscated.
The suspects aged 26,35 and 37 years old are expected to appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 23 January 2023.
Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata commended the efforts of the members and added that the confiscation of these firearms will definitely contribute to the reduction of serious and violent crimes within the metro especially in the Northern areas.
Source: South African Police Service