Continuous efforts to eradicate illegal firearms came to fruition as members in the Nelson Mandela Bay district are working tirelessly to ensure that these firearms are removed from criminals.
A total of 44 firearms were confiscated during the month of January 2022 with the latest arrests and confiscations effected on the 23 and 24 January 2022 respectively.
It is alleged that on Sunday, 23 January 2022 at about 19:45, SAPS Gelvandale Crime Prevention members were patrolling the hotspot areas in Helenvale when they heard gunshots emanating from the direction of Extension 12. Immediately the members responded and noticed a Grey VW Polo driving towards Reginald Street.
The vehicle was stopped and on searching it, a 9mm pistol and 8 rounds of ammunition was found on the floor in front of the driver’s seat. The driver, 49 years old was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The firearm was reported stolen in Mount Road in July 2021.
Anti-Gang Unit members arrested a 44-year-old suspect on the morning of 24 January 2022, after following up on information of an illegal firearm at a house in Prosperity Lane in Kleinskool. The suspect was caught tossing a silver firearm (serial number filed off) into the bathtub. He was arrested and detained for possession of prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
While Anti-Gang Unit members were still busy at the house, at about 11:45, they received further information about another firearm at another house in the same street. A dismantled shotgun with 3 rounds of ammunition were confiscated. An enquiry docket was opened for investigation.
Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso expressed her gratitude to the members for their level of professionalism and perseverance shown in protecting the life and property of the people of Nelson Mandela Bay. “Firearms are at the centre of many serious and violent crimes in the metro, hence we will not stop in our endeavours to eliminate these illegal firearms from the grasp of criminals. The uprooting of crime and criminals in our society will not cease as we strive towards crime free neighbourhoods,” added Brig Kupiso.
