NELSPRUIT – Two suspects, a male aged 40 and a female aged 25 were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm with ammunition at Delmas in the early hours of today, 07 August 2022.

Their arrest was as a result of information received by police from a concerned citizen about unlicensed firearm in the hands of someone at Delmas. The details further outlined that the the firearm was stolen during a robbery. A team consisting of members of the police from Nkangala District was assembled then dispatched to follow the information.

The team members acted swiftly and operationalised the information which led them to the two suspects who were also found in possession of a firearm with 6 live rounds of ammunition. The two were arrested and charged accordingly.

Preliminary investigation has since revealed that the firearm was in fact stolen during a hijacking incident where the victim was robbed of a his firearm as well as the truck carrying soya at Marble Hall (in Limpopo Province) in the month of June 2022. However the truck was later recovered but the firearm was never found. Police were shocked to learn also that the male suspect is an employee working at Victor Khanye Local Municipality.

The two suspects are expected to appear at the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 08 August 2022 facing the said charges.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded the member of the public for furnishing police with such valuable information which led to the arrest and recovery of the firearm with ammunition. “We really value the contribution made by the good citizens who are in the same boat with us who aspire to realize a safe and secured environment” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service