Efforts to rid communities of unlicensed firearms that are used to commit serious and violent crimes yielded positive results when members of Operation Restore arrested a 19-year-old male for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Mfuleni on Sunday morning 2022-08-14 at about 01:00. The members were busy with crime prevention duties when they saw a group of males walking in the road. Two of the males started running and the members gave chase. One suspect was apprehended and a Norinco pistol was confiscated.

Once charged the suspect will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates court.

Furthermore members of Operation Restore received information about firearms at a premises in Sithembele Mathiso Street, Samora Machel on Saturday evening and followed up the information. The identified premises was searched and the members found one pistol and two imitation firearms in the house. Two suspects aged 18 and 30 were arrested and detained.

Meanwhile members of the same unit were busy with patrols in the Gugulethu policing precinct on Saturday evening when they saw an unknown male walking in the road and when he saw the police vehicle approaching he tried to get away but was quickly apprehended by the members. The male was searched and a 9mm pistol without a serial number and ammunition were found hidden in his pants. The 40-year-old suspect was arrested and detained.

The suspects are due to make their respective court appearances in the Athlone Magistrates court once they have been charged.

Source: South African Police Service