LUSIKISIKI – A 72-year-old man is among six suspects arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition during Operation Sikhona in Lusikisiki last night. Seven illegal firearms and several rounds of ammunition were also confiscated.

An intelligence driven operation which started on Tuesday evening, 19 April 2022, up to the early hours of today (20 April) targeted four locations in Lusikisiki to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms. The operation further targeted certain homesteads in the locations, which yielded positive results. The arrests at Hombe Location are as follows:

1. A 22-year-old man in possession of two (02) unlicensed shotguns with no ammunition.

2. A 29-year-old in possession of an unlicensed shotgun with ammunition

3. A 28-year-old in possession of an unlicensed revolver with ammunition

From a team of members, who targeted Bovini Location under Luzuphu A/A, the following suspects were arrested:

1. A 72-year-old elderly man in possession of a 9mm pistol with ammunition.

2. A 59-year-old man in possession a 9mm pistol with ammunition.

The sixth suspect was a 34-year-old man from Dlibona Location in Dubhana A/A, who was arrested in possession of a 9mm pistol with no ammunition. An operation ended with the arrest of a 27-year-old man, who was nabbed for possession of illicit drugs valued around R500.

All seven (07) suspects aged between 22 and 72 are due to appear in the Lusikisiki magistrate’s court today on charges ranging from possession of unlicensed firearm to possession of mandrax.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Mene commended the team that was deployed. “Lusikisiki is one of the hot-spot areas in the Eastern Cape, it will remain in our radar, until we see improvement in the crime situation”, added Lt Gen Mene.

Source: South African Police Service