NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has praised members of the police from Nelspruit and Barberton respectively for nabbing three suspects as well as confiscating three rifles with ammunition from suspects.

The proliferation of firearms in the society has been a concern whereby suspects terrorise their victims using deadly weapons. The situation has prompted members of the police in the entire province to be vigilant and work with speed in removing unlawful guns from the wrong hands.

In light of the alluded challenge, Visible Policing members from Barberton, together with their counterparts from Nelspruit conducted a joint operation on, Wednesday 09 March 2022, at the four way stop near Medi Clinic in Barberton. It is said that during their sting operation, at about 13h30, they spotted a suspicious white VW Cross Polo with three occupants. The vehicle was stopped and a search was conducted by the astute members whereby three rifles with ammunition were discovered inside the said vehicle. The three were then arrested as well as charged for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The firearms were also seized and will form part of the probe where it will be subjected to ballistic tests. Police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the three suspects to other crimes committed elsewhere.

Meanwhile the trio is expected to appear before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 10 March 2022 facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspects as well as the confiscation of the firearms. “A bit by bit we are cleaning up the streets of the entire province and the battle against the proliferation of firearms is winnable. We hope that the law will take its course” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service