PARKTOWN – It is all boots on the ground in Gauteng as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) continue to recover unlicensed firearms and ammunition in circulation in the province.
In partnership with other law enforcement agencies and relevant partners, Gauteng police have arrested over 260 suspects for possession of unlicensed firearm and/or ammunition this month thus far (01 to 30 December 2022). Police subsequently recovered over 500 unlicensed firearms and over 6000 rounds of ammunition.
These successes are as a result of the province's multi-disciplinary Safer Festive Season campaign, Operation O Kae Molao, routine crime prevention patrols, stop-and-searches and community tip-offs.
This morning, 30 December 2022 members of SAPS Kliptown arrested a 25-year-old man for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition following a routine crime prevention patrol within the area of Pimville.
In another incident, on Friday, 23 December 2022 an off-duty member of Ekurhuleni Flying Squad arrested four suspects in Benoni and recovered an unlicensed firearm and ammunition found in their possession.
According to a preliminary the Constable was on his way home when he stopped to assist a stranded motorist with his vehicle. While assisting the motorist another vehicle with four occupants recklessly drove along Snake Road into oncoming traffic. The Constable immediately proceeded in the direction of the said vehicle which he intercepted at the onramp of the N12 freeway towards Johannesburg. A search led to the recovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Further investigation revealed that the said firearm is positively linked to a murder incident that occurred in Crystal Park (2017).
All the recovered firearms will be subjected to a ballistic test to establish whether it may be linked to other serious crime committed.
Community members are urged to report crime to their nearest police station, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively leave anonymous tip-off on the MySAPS App.
Source: South African Police Service