Efforts to eliminate the proliferation of illegal firearms continue to bear fruits as members in the Nelson Mandela Bay district continue to seize illegal weapons.
Three firearms were confiscated in the last 24 hours and two suspects arrested in gang hotspots in the Gelvandale and Bethelsdorp areas respectively.
In the first incident, on Saturday, 4 December 2021 at about 09:35, Anti-Gang Unit members arrested a 30 year old suspect at a house in Springbok Street in Gelvandale for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Also at about 19:45 last night, SAPS Bethelsdorp members received and acted on information of a suspect with a firearm in St James Street in Ext.28. The alleged suspect was spotted and searched. As the search was taking place, the suspect resisted and attempted to free himself.
A 9mm firearm was found on his waist. He was arrested and detained on a charges of illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, resisting arrest and assault.
On the morning of 5 December 2021 at about 05:30, as AGU members were reporting for duty, they heard the sound of gunshots in Lodewyk Place in Bloemendal. Immediately the members rushed towards the area and saw a male running into a yard. The members followed him and after searching him, nothing was found on him. The immediate surroundings was searched and a revolver was found lying in a yard next door. The 25-year-old was not arrested and police have opened an enquiry docket for further investigation.
All three firearms will be sent to ballistics for testing. Ownership is yet to be determined. The arrested suspects will appear in court on Monday, 6 December 2021.
Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Colonel Paul Oranje are urging residents to work with police instead of against them. In the incident in James Street in Ext 28, while police were effecting the arrest, community members started pelting the arresting officers with stones. ‘Innocent lives are lost as a result of illegal firearms. The police is mandated to maintain law and order and anyone who hinders us in the execution of our tasks will be arrested. This area is a known hotspot for gang activities and we will not cease in our efforts to eradicate criminal activities in these areas,’ warned Col Oranje.
